Born in Los Angeles on December 19, 1956, Andrew Bellisario is the son of Rocky and Mildred Bellisario. In 1975, he graduated from Saint Vincent Seminary High School in Montebello, California.[1]
On June 16, 1984, Bellisario was ordained at St. Vincent's Church in Los Angeles by Bishop Juan Alfredo Arzube into the priesthood for the Congregation of the Mission.[2] After his ordination, the Vincentians assigned Bellisario to the following pastoral assignments in Southern California parishes:
Parochial vicar and administrator of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Montebello
Bellisario later became the director of the De Paul Evangelization Center in Montebello. He also served as the provincial superior of the Vincentians, province of the West, and as the director of the Daughters of Charity, province of Los Altos Hills.[1]
The Vincentians assigned Bellisario to Alaska as director of the Vincentian International missions there. In May 2016, he was named pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral Parish in the Archdiocese of Anchorage in Anchorage, Alaska.
Bishop of Juneau
On July 11, 2017, Pope Francis appointed Bellisario as bishop of Juneau.[3] He was consecrated by Bishop Paul Etienne on October 10, 2017, at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Juneau, Alaska.[4][2] At his installation mass, Bellisario remarked:
We as bishops need a living encounter and relationship with Christ, and our people need us to be in close relationship with Christ. Our friendship with Christ, indeed, our love for Christ, will lead us to his cross. I pray that Christ may help you to see the crosses of your life also as a 'friend,' for it is solely from this 'tree of life' that we enjoy the gift of salvation.[5]
In 2018, Bellisario appointed an independent commission to investigate claims of sexual abuse against priests in the diocese. The commission included several retired judges and a retired police lieutenant.[6] On August 22, 2019, the commission released its report. It found seven priests and one brother who were credibly accused of sexual abuses of minors.[6] Bellisario made this statement:
I want to offer a very sincere apology. It brings a lot of shame and a lot of regret and a lot of sorrow to me personally as bishop of this diocese, but it is something that needs to be expressed to those who have been harmed.[6]
On May 19, 2020, Francis named Bellisario as archbishop of the newly formed Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau.[8][9] Bellisario was installed on September 17, 2020.
Coat of arms as bishop of Juneau
Coat of Arms as Bishop of Juneau
Left side of shield
The Wavy Silver and Blue lines: represents the water routes uniting the parishes and missions of the diocese.
The Constellation Ursa Major, the Great Bear: The constellation includes the Big Dipper with its two pointers to the North Star.
The North Star (Polaris): represents Mary, mother of Jesus, under her title "Our Lady, Star of the Sea" (Stella Maris). It also represents the constant guide of the mariner, explorer, hunter, trapper, prospector, woodsman and surveyor of Alaska.
The Crescent Moon: represents the nativity of the Virgin Mary, and commemorates the cathedral church of the diocese.
Right side of shield
The Cross of Saint Andrew: represents Andrew the Apostle, Bellisario's patron saint.
The Long Stem Rose: represents Bellisario's mother, Mildred (1922–2006), and his English heritage.
The Ship: represents the Catholic Church, the bark of Saint Peter. It also represents Bellisario's father, Rocky (1915–2005), the Bellisario family and his Italian heritage.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus: represents Jesus and commemorates Bellisario's religious community, the Congregation of the Mission.
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