Gerald Thomas Bergan

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Template other Template:Ordination 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. After graduating from Spalding Institute in Peoria, he attended St. Viator College in Bourbonnais, Illinois, where he excelled in athletics. Bergan continued his studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Bergan was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Peoria on October 28, 1915. 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.

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 on June 13, 1934, from Cardinal George Mundelein, with Bishops Joseph Schlarman and Henry Rohlman serving as co-consecrators. He established a diocesan newspaper called The Messenger. 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. 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.

Archbishop of Omaha

Bergan was named by Pius XII as the second archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha on February 7, 1948. During his administration, more than $80 million was spent for new Catholic schools, churches, and hospitals in the archdiocese. This caused him to become known as the "building bishop". Between 1962 and 1965, Bergan attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome.

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.

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. Bergan Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines was named in honor of the Sisters of Mercy and the late Archbishop Gerald T. Bergan. Bergan Mercy Hospital later became Bergan Mercy Health System. Bergan High School in the archbishop's home town of Peoria, Illinois was named in his honor. The dedication of Bergan High School occurred on Sunday, April 5, 1964. Archbishop Bergan in full Episcopal attire officiated at the blessing held in the school gym.