Gerald Thomas Bergan (January 26, 1892 – July 12, 1972) was an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines in Iowa (1934–1948) and archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha in Nebraska (1948–1969).


Gerald Thomas Bergan
Archbishop of Omaha
Titular Archbishop of Tacarata
SeeArchdiocese of Omaha
InstalledFebruary 7, 1948
Term endedJune 11, 1969
PredecessorJames Hugh Ryan
SuccessorDaniel E. Sheehan
Other post(s)Bishop of Des Moines
(1934–1948)
Orders
OrdinationOctober 28, 1915
ConsecrationJune 13, 1934
Personal details
Born(1892-01-26)January 26, 1892
DiedJuly 12, 1972(1972-07-12) (aged 80)
Omaha, Nebraska, US
DenominationRoman Catholic Church
EducationSt. Viator College
Pontifical North American College
MottoNisi Dominus Frustra
(Everything is in vain without God)
Ordination history of
Gerald Thomas Bergan
History
Episcopal consecration
Consecrated byGeorge Mundelein
DateJune 13, 1934
Episcopal succession
Bishops consecrated by Gerald Thomas Bergan as principal consecrator
John Joseph BoylanFebruary 17, 1943
John Linus PaschangOctober 9, 1951
Tomás Guilherme Murphy, C.Ss.R.January 2, 1963
Daniel E. SheehanMarch 19, 1964

Biography

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Early life

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Gerald Bergan was born on January 26, 1892, in Peoria, Illinois, to William and Mary (née O'Connell) Bergan.[1] After graduating from Spalding Institute in Peoria, he attended St. Viator College in Bourbonnais, Illinois, where he excelled in athletics.[2] Bergan continued his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.[1]

Bergan was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Peoria on October 28, 1915.[3] Upon his return to the United States, he served as chancellor and vicar general of the diocese, and rector of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception.[1]

Bishop of Des Moines

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On March 24, 1934, Bergan was appointed the third bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines by Pope Pius XI.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on June 13, 1934, 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

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Bergan was named by Pius XII as the second archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha 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, Bergan attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome.

Retirement and legacy

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On June 11, 1969, Pope Paul VI accepted Bergan's resignation as archbishop of Omaha and appointed him as Titular Archbishop of Tacarata.[3] He resigned his titular see on January 28, 1971.[3]

Gerald Bergan died in Omaha on July 12, 1972, at age 80. Bergan Mercy Medical Center in Omaha and Archbishop Bergan High School in Fremont, Nebraska, are named in his honor.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.
  2. ^ "In the Churches". Time. July 2, 1934. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Archbishop Gerald Thomas Bergan". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.[self-published source]
  4. ^ "Bishops of the Diocese of Des Moines". Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines.
  5. ^ a b c "Gerald T. Bergan, an Archbishop; Former Leader of Omaha Archdiocese Dies at 80". The New York Times. July 2, 1972.
  6. ^ "Archbishop Gerald Thomas Bergan". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Bishop of Des Moines
1934–1948
Succeeded by
Preceded by Archbishop of Omaha
1948–1969
Succeeded by