Gerald Thomas Bergan

His Excellency, The Most Reverend 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	(1892-01-26)January 26, 1892 Peoria, Illinois, US
Died	July 12, 1972(1972-07-12) (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
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

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.