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 | |
 | |
| See | Archdiocese of Omaha |
| Installed | February 7, 1948 |
| Term ended | June 11, 1969 |
| Predecessor | James Hugh Ryan |
| Successor | Daniel E. Sheehan |
| Other post(s) | Bishop of Des Moines (1934–1948) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | October 28, 1915 |
| Consecration | June 13, 1934 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 26, 1892 Peoria, Illinois, US |
| Died | July 12, 1972 (aged 80) Omaha, Nebraska, US |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| Education | St. Viator College Pontifical North American College |
| Motto | Nisi Dominus Frustra (Everything is in vain without God) |
Ordination history of Gerald Thomas Bergan | |||||||||||||
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Biography
editEarly life
editGerald 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
editOn 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
editBergan 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
editOn 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
edit- ^ a b c Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig.
- ^ "In the Churches". Time. July 2, 1934. Archived from the original on November 25, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f "Archbishop Gerald Thomas Bergan". Catholic-Hierarchy.org.[self-published source]
- ^ "Bishops of the Diocese of Des Moines". Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines.
- ^ a b c "Gerald T. Bergan, an Archbishop; Former Leader of Omaha Archdiocese Dies at 80". The New York Times. July 2, 1972.
- ^ "Archbishop Gerald Thomas Bergan". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011.