Father Gallagher Departs for the Vatican

Fr. Daniel Gallagher

Since July 2004, Sacred Heart has been blessed to have Fr. Daniel Gallagher as part of its administration. A priest of the Diocese of Gaylord, Father Gallagher was graciously assigned to the seminary for a five-year term by his bishop, Most. Rev. Patrick R. Cooney. His duties were many—director of graduate seminarians, director of graduate pastoral formation, professor of theology and Latin instructor—and he performed them with professionalism and enthusiasm. Father also found time to write widely on philosophical and theological issues in scholarly and popular Catholic publications.

Just as his skills and devotion to the Church have been appreciated by the seminary, so have they been recognized by the Holy See. Father announced to a surprised community in early December that the Vatican had asked him to serve in the English section of the Secretariat of State in Rome. The Secretariat of State is part of the Roman Curia that supports the Holy Father in exercising his universal mission. Father Gallagher's five-year term at the dicastery began on January 7. His responsibilities will include assisting with translating documents and correspondence of the Holy Father and the Holy See into English.

"From his solicitous care of the Theology House to the creative developments he initiated in the graduate program of pastoral formation, Father Gallagher has made a lasting contribution to our life at Sacred Heart," says Vice Rector Fr. Michael Byrnes. Father Gallagher calls his time on the faculty of Sacred Heart "one of the greatest blessings of my priestly service to the Church, and indeed of my life." He joins a list of three additional priests from Sacred Heart who have been honored to serve the Secretariate of State. They are Bishop John Nienstadt (rector/president), Bishop Leonard Blair (academic dean) and Bishop Allen Vigneron (rector/president).

Fr. Gerard Battersby, pastor of St. Christopher Parish in Detroit, has been appointed by Cardinal Adam Maida to the position vacated by Father Gallagher. Sacred Heart wishes God's blessing on Father Gallagher's new ministry, as well as on Father Battersby's.