The bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls says he and the Diocese have done everything they can to keep longtime priest Cathal Gallagher from being deported.The bishop defended his actions on the eve of the installation of a new pastor.
Father Gallagher's congregations in DeSmet, Arlington and Iroquois first heard about his illegal status this May, even though immigration officials denied his application for permanent residency way back in February of 2006.
Now many are asking why more wasn't done during all that time in between.
After the last hymns were sung on Sunday, parishioners at St. Thomas Catholic Church let their frustrations ring out.
"At this point it appears the Bishop has abandoned Father's case," said Jay Slater, of DeSmet.S
later joined the church in 2005 and says he owes his Catholic faith to Father Gallagher. Now Slater says the Bishop owes everyone here some answers.
"We just feel that he needs to be speaking with us," Slater said. "He needs our input."
"Well this is of course something that none of us wanted to happen," said Bishop Paul Swain of the Diocese of Sioux Falls.
Bishop Swain began serving the Diocese after Father Gallagher was denied a Green Card, but the Bishop says they have done everything they can to appeal.
"Since that time our lawyers have continued to try and figure out a way, and they informed us a little earlier this year that there was no way that that decision was going to be reversed," Bishop Swain said.
The Bishop says it quickly became apparent that he would need to find a new priest or risk employing someone illegally.
Now that Father Gallagher's last mass is complete, the bishop says he doesn't know why the faithful in Kingsbury county were never told about the problem two years ago.
But the bishop admits that he too has not addressed the issue with the congregations.
"We've talked about it. Frankly some locally have advised me not to," Bishop Swain said. "It's just not the right time so just let it move to the completion and then we'll try to work on the healing."
Though sadness and goodbyes filled that void on Sunday, Father Gallagher said he is not angry. But he says he does understand why many are.
"I would be very angry if somebody else were treated this way," Father Gallagher said.
On Monday evening, those close to Father Gallagher said that he is not planning to leave the country immediately.
Instead, he is holding out hope that requests by South Dakota's congressional delegation will be heard by immigration officials and his case reopened.
Those requests were still unanswered on Monday night.
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