The Situation

(Please return to this page for updates posted at the bottom…)

Father Cathal Gallagher, a beloved Irish-born priest, first blessed the prairies of South Dakota with his presence nearly ten years ago.  Attracting the attention of Bishop Robert Carlson while the bishop was seeking cancer treatment at the Mayo Clinic, Father Gallagher answered his request to spend a weekend in South Dakota – “Give us the gift of just a few days, for which the people of South Dakota will be that much the better,” asked the recovering bishop.

That weekend turned into so much more, as did the gift of Father Gallagher’s presence.  Following twenty-three years of humble service to the people of Japan, he officially arrived in De Smet a couple weeks later as the pastor of three local Catholic parishes, making his home at the St. Thomas Aquinas rectory.  Almost immediately, his compassion and living example of service to others touched people of all faiths throughout the area.

Now, his unfinished work here is about to be cut short by the US Immigration Service.  After nearly ten years of attempting to gain permanent residency through the assistance of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls and other entities, Father has been issued a final denial of permanent residency.

Something seems broken in a system that allows 12 million illegal aliens to remain in this country, yet denies residency to a man of service such as Father Gallagher.  While immigration is a complicated subject these days, it would seem that Father Gallagher has only relieved burdens on our society, and personifies our historical strength as a nation of immigrants.  With a society so in need of such a giving example, and a Church so in need of vocations, it seems an injustice to deny his right to willingly serve his parishoners going forward.

Father De SmetAs many know, De Smet was made famous as ”Little Town on the Prairie” by children’s author Laura Ingalls Wilder as she recounted her childhood here.  What many don’t know is that Laura’s contemporary pioneers named the Little Town in memory of Father Pierre De Smet, a Belgian-born priest and missionary widely credited with convincing Sitting Bull to sign the Peace Treaty of 1868. 

It is somewhat ironic that the same US government who called on the Belgian-immigrant Father De Smet to ease tensions with the Sioux and Iroquois Indians, is now refusing residency to the Irish-immigrant Father Gallagher, who faithfully serves parishes in both De Smet and Iroquois, South Dakota.  

In many ways, Father Gallagher has fulfilled the legacy of Father De Smet in modern times, as the earlier priest was never able to visit the Little Town named in his honor.  Both Protestant and Catholics alike called the former priest “the most sincere friend the Indians ever had”.  How interesting it is to hear today’s residents of all denominations talk so similarly about Father Gallagher.

It is our hope that Father’s denial of status is merely a mistake.  In 2003, the Immigration Service actually notified him that he would receive his green card in a couple weeks, and told him to get his vaccinations and fingerprints taken in preparation – which he gratefully did.  That notification never came, however, and he was later issued a final denial based on a technicality during a short lapse in status which was the no fault of his own. 

With the help of you, the help of our elected officials, and by continuing to follow due process, we hope to get it reversed and keep Father in our midst another ten years – answering his most fervent wishes and the hope shared by hundreds of others whose lives he has touched. 

 

Monday, May 26, 2008 – Memorial Day

  • Wards Store in De Smet organized as “Help Father” Headquarters.   wardsstore@hotmail.com (605) 860-8799. 

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

  • Patti Ward organized a meeting between Father and Senator Johnson’s staff in Sioux Falls.  They were very gracious and will help take next steps to get Father’s case reopened.
  • Father did a radio interview with Matt Hendrickson at KJAM radio in Madison.
  • Facebook group Keep Father Gallagher in De Smet started by Jason Lanning, Josh Schoenfelder, and Grant Lanning
  • KSFY television crew arrived on location at St. Thomas Aquinas and broadcast the story on the nightly news. 
  • Ryan Schoenfelder, an otherwise upstanding county commissioner, offers to harbor a fugitive. 
    (just felt a need to mention that, doubt he’ll ever lose an election in Kingsbury County the rest of his life)

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

  • Cory Heidelberger publishes this blog post covering the story.
  • Scott Ehrisman posts his comments on Help a brother (father) out.
  • KELO television taped Wednesday morning Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas and broadcast it later in the day.
  • Father met with Bishop Swain in Sioux Falls at 2:00pm.

Thursday, May 28, 2008

  • Senator Johnson and his office, who have been putting a great amount of effort into Father’s case, obtained copies of Father’s paperwork and met with Father in De Smet today.  Their analysis matches that of the top attorneys hired by the Diocese: there is no legal recourse for Father’s case at this point – the only possibility is that the highest political offices in the country act to reopen his case.
  • Irish Television in Dublin has contacted Father seeking permission to send a film crew.  No word on whether this will happen, but be prepared to roll out the green carpet for our Irish friends that have sent so many of their sons as priests to the world.
  • Righteous Outrage in Kingsbury County blog post published on the Jackrabbit’s Den.
  • Senator Thune called Father this afternoon and spoke for nearly a half hour following a personal request from local attorney Gregg Gass (many thanks).  Father described their conversation as engaging, with Senator Thune agreeing to get the message to the White House.  Senator Thune informed Father that in all his time in Congress, his office has never received such a flood of calls, and urged Father to continue the good work that has sparked this reaction.
  • An ecumenical prayer service was held at 8:00pm, organized by area pastors of all denominations, and attended by hundreds from many faiths and many communities.  Thanks to all for sharing your prayers and showing your support for Father.

Friday, May 29, 2008

  • Since we now know this matter can only be resolved politically, we have added contact information for the White House and Presidential campaigns.  Please contact them.
  • Senator Johnson, Senator Thune, and Representative Herseth Sandlin’s offices have now joined forces and are coordinating activity to assist Father.  In addition to contacting the President, which is still going forward, they met together today and discovered an additional path:  the head of the Immigration office in Nebraska has the authority to re-open any case, if he or she sees fit.   Our representative’s offices are going to write joint letters of recommendation and deliver them the week of June 9.  As part of the package, they will print out all the comments on HelpFather.com at that time (thanks for all your support here).  In addition, there is now one last thing we must do – we must write a letter to Senator Johnson, Senator Thune, and Representative Herseth Sandlin in support of Father, explaining why he should be granted citizenship.  One letter addressing all three will do.  These letters need to be mailed to St. Thomas Aquinas, Box 15, De Smet, SD 57231 and received by June 8.  If you happen to be in De Smet, you can drop them off at the rectory or put them in the basket at church either of the next two Sundays.  So many of you have done so much already with your prayers, your comments here, and your calls to political offices – but you are urged to write this letter as one more step.

Monday, June 2, 2008

  • Catholic News Service publishes an article on Father’s situation, detailing how the case highlights immigration problems faced by foreign-born religious workers.

Monday, June 9, 2008

  • Over 1000 petition signatures, over 1500 letters, and over 300 online messages from this site were delivered in support of Father’s immigration case by Patti Ward to Senator Johnson’s office in Sioux Falls today.  These letters will be added to those from Senator Johnson, Senator Thune, Congresswoman Herseth-Sandlin, Senator Daschle, and Governor Rounds, and will be shipped tomorrow to the regional immigration office in Nebraska.  We have been told that we can expect a response within a few days – updates will be provided here as they are available.
  • Many thanks to all of you for your heartfelt efforts on Father’s behalf.  For many of us, it is the first time we have ever asked our government to do something specific on our behalf - in this case, to correct something that just doesn’t seem right no matter the process or current status.  And for that we owe a special thanks to our elected officials who have been doing a superb job in helping us address this issue – Thank you Tim, John, Stephanie, Mike, & Tom! 

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

  • Governor Rounds called the regional Immigration office to give his personal input in favor of Father’s case
  • Order of Hibernians made a special request on Father’s behalf to President Bush.
  • Father has been interviewed and featured on several national Irish radio and newspapers throughout the last few days, as well as an international paper in Europe.
  • The Irish Echo reported Father’s story on the front page.
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs form Ireland called Senator Johnson’s office to offer assistance.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

  • The Argus Leader, a regional Sioux Falls newspaper, does a feature front page story on Father’s situation for its Sunday edition, including a great video of Father telling his story in his own words.   (just click the play button for the video on the right column of the page).

Sunday, June 29, 2008

  • Father says his last Mass at his parishes, followed by fond farewells.  He left later this evening with a handful of pictures and some clothing, the scant possessions of a wonderfully giving man. 

Monday, June 30, 2008

  • Bishop Swain responds to his parishes – via television interview with KSFY from his office in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  The Bishop tells viewers he has been following the advice of some locals to not communicate with his parishes during this time of suffering.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

  • Progress!   Father received a call from Senator Johnson’s office informing him of positive progress with his immigration case.  Father was instructed a) NOT to leave the country, b) that consideration of his case is progressing in communication with Washington DC, and c) that he should schedule an appointment to get his fingerprints and updated photos taken in Sioux Falls on July 14 (two weeks).  He was informed that this is a very positive development, although still nothing is assured at this point.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

  • While we’re waiting - a great thank you is deserved by all who have contributed to Father’s cause.  We received unconfirmed word that the case worker in charge of reviewing Father’s file read ALL of the nearly 3,000 notes that were sent on his behalf!  For all those who have thought in the past that their vote didn’t count, take solace in knowing that’s not the case this time around thanks to this good person- and consider yourself a willing contributor to the fact that this process is taking so long.  ;-)
  • …meanwhile, back at the Jackrabbit’s Den – they’ve finally had enough of this and are joining a  political party for the first time.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

  • Keloland television does a nice piece on the Garden of Remembrance initiated by Father in De Smet.

Friday, July 4, 2008

  • Independence day for the rest of us – Father is still dependent upon prayers and the good will of our government.  The Argus Leader reports on the latest events here.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

  • More progress!  Father has received a letter from the Dept. of Homeland Security, stating that his case has officially been re-opened for consideration.  This is a major step forward – many thanks to those who pushed on and perservered when it was thought that nothing more could be done.

Monday, July 14, 2008

  • Big milestone today!  As directed, Father reported to the Dept. of Homeland Security office in Sioux Falls to be fingerprinted and photographed.  Things are looking positive, but prayers are still needed, as there is no further official word on Father’s case.  Local networks covered the event, see coverage and footage on KSFY, KELO, and KDLT.

Friday, July 18, 2008

  • MISSION ACCOMPLISHED !!!  Our prayers have been answered.  Father Gallagher has just received word that he has been granted PERMANENT RESIDENCY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA !!!  We are overjoyed – sooo very happy for him.  No one deserves this more than Father.  Many, many thanks to everyone involved in this effort – to the hardworking energetic people of Kingsbury County who never quit for their friend, to the many offering prayerful support throughout our diocese and beyond, to those diligently bringing attention to this story in our the local media, to our wonderful Irish neighbors in both this country and their native land for their special interest and support – and lastly, a very special thanks to our elected officials, their staff, and the good people in Homeland Security for going to work on Father’s case, and helping make the right thing happen.  Our country is the better for all of your effort, just as it will certainly be that much the better for Father Gallagher’s permanent residency and ongoing charity and lived example among us! 

 Saturday, July 19, 2008

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

  • An Argus Leader editorial comments on the essence of success in Father’s case – “It was a community in the truest sense of that word that helped keep Gallagher here, and his parishioners weren’t the only people circling the wagons around Gallagher. The effort extended to people of other denominations and faiths. That’s a testament to the bonds Gallagher formed here in South Dakota, thousands of miles from home.”