Father Gallagher -- Bittersweet Resolution?

Father Cathal Gallagher has left the building, but not the country. The Irish priest bid farewell to his tearful parishioners in Kingsbury County on Sunday, and was ready to obey the U.S. government, which had told him he had to leave the country on July 1 since immigration officials had lost his application for permanent residency. And then yesterday...

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 [update from HelpFather.com, 2008.07.01].

Better late than never. But the Sioux Falls Diocese has already installed a new priest in the Kingsbury County parishes, so, as Father Gallagher tells KSFY, "All options are open, the only option that's not open is returning to Kingsbury County."

Even in this surprise step toward a bittersweet victory, Father Gallagher remains humble:

Still shell shocked by the changing events, Gallagher tells me he is humbled by those who fought to give him this second chance. "I've done nothing to earn what came today" [Brian Allen, "DeSmet Priest Immigration Case Now Under Federal Review," KSFY.com, 2008.07.01].

Sometimes you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you... and sometimes everybody gets bit.