Pope Leo has accepted the resignation of a Catholic bishop in ​San Diego who was arrested by ‌local authorities on suspicion of stealing $250,000 from his congregation, the Vatican announced on Tuesday.

Bishop Emanuel Hana Shaleta had ​led the small Chaldean Catholic community ​in the California city since 2017. He ⁠pleaded not guilty to 16 counts ​of embezzlement and money laundering at a hearing ​on Monday, according to local media reports.

San Diego Deputy District Attorney Joel Madero said the alleged crimes ​took place in 2024 and were reported ​by a church employee who noticed the missing funds, ‌according ⁠to KGTV, a local ABC affiliate.

Hana Shaleta was arrested on March 5 at San Diego's international airport while attempting to leave ​the U.S., according ​to ⁠a sheriff's office statement.

The bishop's lawyer said at Monday's hearing that ​Hana Shaleta was taking a planned ​trip ⁠to Germany.

Chaldean Catholics recognise the authority of the pope but worship according to an eastern ⁠Christian ​liturgical rite. There are about ​71,000 Chaldean Catholics in San Diego, according to Vatican ​statistics.

Source : BBC