Gerald Thomas Bergan

Gerald Thomas Bergan (January 26, 1892 – July 12, 1972) was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Des Moines (1934–48) and Archbishop of Omaha (1948-69).

The Most Reverend Gerald Thomas Bergan
Archbishop of Omaha
See	Omaha
Installed	February 7, 1948
Term ended	June 11, 1969
Predecessor	James Hugh Ryan
Successor	Daniel E. Sheehan
Other posts	Bishop of Des Moines (1934-48)
Orders
Ordination	October 28, 1915
Consecration	June 13, 1934
Personal details
Born	(1892-01-26)January 26, 1892 Peoria, Illinois
Died	July 12, 1972(1972-07-12) (aged 80) Omaha, Nebraska
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church

Ordination history of Gerald Thomas Bergan
History Episcopal consecration Consecrated by George Mundelein Date June 13, 1934
Episcopal succession Bishops consecrated by Gerald Thomas Bergan as principal consecrator John Joseph Boylan February 17, 1943 John Linus Paschang October 9, 1951 Tomás Guilherme Murphy, C.Ss.R. January 2, 1963 Daniel E. Sheehan March 19, 1964

Early life and ministry

Gerald Bergan was born in Peoria, Illinois, to William and Mary (née O'Connell) Bergan.[1] After graduating from Spalding Institute in his native city, he attended St. Viator College in Bourbonnais, where he excelled in athletics.[2] He continued his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.[1] He was ordained to the priesthood on October 28, 1915.[3] Upon his return to the United States, he served as chancellor and vicar general of the Diocese of Peoria, and rector of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception.[1]

Bishop of Des Moines

On March 24, 1934, Bergan was appointed the third Bishop of Des Moines, Iowa, by Pope Pius XI.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following June 13 from Cardinal George Mundelein, with Bishops Joseph Schlarman and Henry Rohlman serving as co-consecrators.[3] He established a diocesan newspaper called The Messenger.[4] At the eighth National Eucharistic Congress in 1941, he spoke on labor-management relations, asserting that the employer must permit workers to engage in collective bargaining.[5] He also called for a single union for both labor and capital, and suggested that long-serving employees should have a share in the management of an enterprise.[5]

Archbishop of Omaha

Bergan was named the second Archbishop of Omaha, Nebraska, on February 7, 1948.[3] During his administration, more than $80 million was spent for new Catholic schools, churches, and hospitals in the archdiocese.[5] This caused him to become known as the "building bishop".[6] Between 1962 and 1965, he attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council. After 21 years in Omaha, he retired as Archbishop on June 11, 1969; he was appointed Titular Archbishop of Tacarata on the same date.[3] He later resigned his titular see on January 28, 1971.[3]

Bergan died at age 80. Bergan Mercy Medical Center and Archbishop Bergan High School are named in his honor.

References

1. Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.
2. "In the Churches". TIME Magazine. 1934-07-02.
3. "Archbishop Gerald Thomas Bergan". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.
4. "Bishops of the Diocese of Des Moines". Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines.
5. "GERALD T. BERGAN, AN ARCHBISHOP; Former Leader of Omaha Archdiocese Dies at 80". The New York Times. 1972-07-02.
6. "Archbishop Gerald Thomas Bergan". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25.

Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Thomas William Drumm	Bishop of Des Moines 1934–1948	Succeeded by Edward Celestin Daly, OP
Preceded by James Hugh Ryan	Archbishop of Omaha 1948–1969	Succeeded by Daniel E. Sheehan