Pueblo Bishop Berg reflects on career after submitting resignation

Bishop Stephen Berg was over 40 years old when he became a priest.

The Diocese of Pueblo bishop, who recently submitted his resignation as required by the Catholic Church upon reaching the age of 75, entered the priesthood only after earning a master's degree in music and piano, teaching music at Fort Worth Community College, and managing a nursery company for 14 years.

"After working for the company for 14 years, the company was dissolved," Berg said. "It was at this time that I started thinking about my career path. All through that time, I had been thinking of the priesthood, but I began to seriously consider the priesthood. It had been a recurring theme in my life since I was 7 years old, so through that time, I read scripture, prayed, and attended as many church events as I could. The idea became more real, and I was accepted into the seminary at 42 years old."

Berg said the biggest accomplishment of his life was being ordained a priest in 1999. In 2002, he was appointed the pastor of four rural Texas Parishes, including St. Mary's in Henrietta, St. Jerome in Bowie, St. William in Montague, and St. Joseph in Nacona.

"I had always wanted a family, but this is where I found it," he said. "I learned what it meant to be a father, and what it meant to be a shepherd," he said.

After six years, Berg was called to Fort Worth, Texas, to serve as the vicar general -- the right hand to the bishop. In 2012, he served as the administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth for a full year.

In 2014, Berg was named bishop of the Diocese of Pueblo.

"This is a diocese that doesn't just include Pueblo. It goes across southern Colorado and the western slope, with five deaneries, located in La Junta, Alamosa, Grand Junction, and here in Pueblo," Berg said.

"This was not something I'd ever expected in life. Just to be able to share and build faith in 105 parishes and missions. We have five Catholic hospitals, five universities, five Catholic schools, and more than seven outreaches in different parts of the state. Just to be someone responsible for all that, and be grateful for the gift of being called in this industry."

The Diocese of Pueblo offers unique challenges compared to more urban dioceses such as Colorado Springs, the bishop said.

"The challenge for the diocese is that it's so spread out. We are an official mission diocese, we are not self-sufficient, so we have to run very lean on staff," Berg said. "I have to wear a lot of hats."

Berg guessed there were around 50 such dioceses in the United States, with several across New Mexico and the greater southwest.

"The culture of southern Colorado has more in common with the culture of the Southwest than we do with the culture of Denver," he observed.

While the bishop has submitted his resignation, it may take some time for Pope Leo XIV to accept it.

In order for a bishop to step down, a replacement must first be selected. There are around 30 retirements across the United States for bishops just this year, and it typically takes one to two years for the replacement process, the particulars of which are confidential, to be completed.

A search and selection will be conducted by the church, which must be ratified by the Dicastery for Bishops in Rome and approved by Pope Leo.

In the region around Pueblo, vacancies include the bishops of Colorado Springs, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas, all of which will likely take priority over Pueblo, Berg said.

When his resignation is eventually accepted, Berg said he intends to stay in Pueblo and continue to assist the diocese however he can.

"I love the people. I know them all over the state. I've confirmed thousands of kids here who will come up to me and chat. I play a little recreational tennis to work out here. It's a very comfortable environment for me," he said.

In retirement, Berg also plans to resume his musical endeavors.

"As a bishop, I've given several performances for benefits like Catholic Charities and the schools. My piano technique has improved," he said.

For new priests in the community, the bishop offered a few words of advice.

"Be kind, pray, visit the sick, and allow the people to love you," he said. "And then get on top of church law, parish administration, civil codes, and diocesan policy as quickly as you can. Strengthen your commitment to prayer, allow Jesus into every facet of your new life."

By Justin Reutter, Pueblo Chieftain

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