The Gaoth Dobhair-born priest who had been threatened with deportation from the United States last year has received a permanent assignment in two South Dakota parishes.
Last month, the Sioux Falls diocese gave Father Cathal Gallagher permanent assignments to parishes in Armour and Stickney, South Dakota.
Father Gallagher's case had been in the news about a year ago, when U.S. immigration officials threatened to
deport him over a question about his status. He had lived in the states for the past 12 years, and was working in parishes near De Smet, South Dakota. In the weeks after Father Gallagher's case became public, thousands of people, including parishioners and other supporters, lobbied for his right to remain in the states. U.S. officials issued Father Gallagher a green card in July 2008, after reviewing his case.
Father Gallagher has spent the past year filling in at a number of area parishes, according to the Sioux Falls newspaper, the Argus Leader. He had led worship at Armour and Stickney for six weeks, filling in for a priest who was on medical leave before the local bishop assigned Father Gallagher to the position permanently during annual assignments, the newspaper reported.
"We love him," said Jan Eggers, bookkeeper, secretary and member of St. Paul the Apostle, one of the two parishes assigned to Father Gallagher. "He is a great priest and we are very glad that we have him here."
Father Gallagher said he was happy to be there as well. He serves more than 100 families in the parish communities.
"I love the people," Father Gallagher told the newspaper. "They're so nice, so genuine and sincere. They've got the faith, and they're very welcoming."
