Gerald Thomas Bergan

❧

Wikipedia

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

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 postsBishop of Des Moines
(1934–1948)
Orders
OrdinationOctober 28, 1915
by Basilio Pompilj
ConsecrationJune 13, 1934
by George Mundelein
Personal details
Born(1892-01-26)January 26, 1892
Peoria, Illinois, US
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

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).

Biography

Early life

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, a Catholic high school 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]

Priesthood

Bergan was ordained to the priesthood in Rome for the Diocese of Peoria on October 28, 1915 by Cardinal Basilio Pompilj.[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 in Peoria.[1]

Bishop of Des Moines

On March 24, 1934, Bergan was appointed the third bishop of the Diocese of Des Moines by Pope Pius XI. He received his episcopal consecration at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception on June 13, 1934, from Cardinal George Mundelein, with Bishops Joseph Schlarman and Henry Rohlman serving as co-consecrators.[3] As bishop, Bergan established a diocesan newspaper called The Messenger.[4]

At the Ninth National Eucharistic Congress in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1941, Bergan spoke on labor-management relations. Bergan asserted that the employer must engage with workers in collective bargaining.[5] He also called for a single union for both labor and capital, and suggested that senior employees should have a share in the management of an enterprise.[6]

Archbishop of Omaha

Bergan was named by Pius XII as the second archbishop of Omaha on February 7, 1948.[3] During his administration, the archdiocese spent over $80 million on schools, churches, and hospitals. This activity gained Bergen the nickname of "building bishop".[7][6] Between 1962 and 1965, Bergan attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome.[3]

Retirement and legacy

On June 11, 1969, Pope Paul VI accepted Bergan's resignation as archbishop of Omaha and appointed him as titular archbishop of Tacarata. He resigned his titular see on January 28, 1971.[3]Gerald Bergan died in Omaha on July 12, 1972, at age 80.[3]

The following institutions are named after Bergen.

References

  1. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Archbishop Gerald Thomas Bergan [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  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. July 2, 1972.
  6. 1 2 "GERALD T. BERGAII, AN ARCHBISHOP (Published 1972)". July 14, 1972. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Archbishop Gerald Thomas Bergan". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011.
  8. ↑ "CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center - Bergan Mercy | CHI Health". CHI Health. Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Christ, Faith, Knowledge, Service | Bergan Catholic School | Fremont". www.berganknights.org. Retrieved November 4, 2025.