Religion

Vatican removes San Diego Chaldean Bishop following embezzlement arrest; Cardinal also steps down

East County News Service
 
March 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – The Vatican on Tuesday formally accepted the resignation of Bishop Emanuel Shaleta, the leader of the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle in El Cajon on Jamacha Way, following his arrest last week on felony financial charges.
 
In a concurrent announcement, the Holy See confirmed the departure of Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, the global head of the Chaldean Catholic Church.
 
The move comes one day after Shaleta was arraigned on 16 felony counts, including eight counts of embezzlement and eight counts of money laundering. He entered a not guilty plea.
 
Shaleta, 69, was arrested on March 5 at San Diego International Airport by San Diego County Sheriff’s Department deputies who alleged he was attempting to leave the country.

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

POPE APPOINTS MICHAEL PHAM AS SAN DIEGO BISHOP

East County News Service
 
May 22, 2025 (San Diego) – Auxiliary Bishop Michael Pham, 58, has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to serve as Bishop of the San Diego Catholic diocese, the Vatican announced today.
 
Born in Vietnam, Bishop Pham was ordained in 1999 and previously served in parishes across the San Diego region before becoming Auxiliary Bishop and now Bishop.
 
He fills the vacancy left when Cardinal Robert McElroy, formerly San Diego’s Bishop, was named Archbishop of Washington D.C. in March.

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

POPE FRANCIS DIES ON MORNING AFTER EASTER

East County News Service
 
April 21, 2025 -- The day after people of the Christian faith had their holiest celebration of resurrection and new life, Pope Francis passed away early this morning at age 88.
 
The Holy See announced his death early this morning, saying the pontiff passed peacefully at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, where he had been residing in recent months due to ongoing health issues.
 
In a statement reported by multiple news outlets, Dr. Andrea Arcangeli, the head of the Vatican’s health department, said Pope Francis died of a cerebral stroke and irreversible heart failure
 
His passing marks the end of a papacy that spanned more than a decade and left a profound impact on both the Church and the wider world.
 

Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

AMERICANS ARE BECOMING LESS RELIGIOUS, NEW POLL FINDS

 

By Liz Alper

November 4, 2015 - "In God We Trust" is printed on every piece of paper money that the U.S. Mint produces. But fewer Americans may be trusting God than in the past, according a new poll conducted by the Pew Research Center.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.