Alexander Joseph Brunett


Alexander Joseph Brunett
Archbishop Emeritus of Seattle
ArchdioceseSeattle
AppointedOctober 29, 1997
InstalledDecember 18, 1997
Term endedSeptember 16, 2010
PredecessorThomas Joseph Murphy
SuccessorJ. Peter Sartain
Previous post(s)Bishop of Helena (1994–1997)
Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Oakland (2012–2013)
Orders
OrdinationJuly 13, 1958
by Luigi Traglia
ConsecrationJuly 6, 1994
by William Levada, Elden Francis Curtiss, and Adam Maida
Personal details
Born(1934-01-17)January 17, 1934
DiedJanuary 31, 2020(2020-01-31) (aged 86)
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
MottoSignum fidei panis vitæ
(Sign of faith, bread of life)
Styles of
Alexander Joseph Brunett
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleArchbishop
Ordination history of
Alexander Joseph Brunett
History
Episcopal consecration
Consecrated byWilliam Levada
DateJuly 6, 1994
Episcopal succession
Bishops consecrated by Alexander Joseph Brunett as principal consecrator
George Leo ThomasJanuary 28, 2000
Eusebio L. Elizondo AlmaguerJune 6, 2005
Joseph J. TysonJune 6, 2005

Alexander Joseph Brunett (January 17, 1934 – January 31, 2020) was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church who served as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Seattle in Washington State from 1997 until his retirement in 2010. Brunett previously served as bishop of the Diocese of Helena in Montana from 1994 to 1997 and after his retirement he served as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Oakland in California from 2012 to 2013.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Brunett was ordained to the priesthood in Rome in 1958. From 1959 to 1994 he held several church positions in the Detroit area. In April 1994 he was appointed bishop of Helena by Pope John Paul II and was consecrated bishop later that year. He was appointed archbishop of Seattle in October 1997, and held that office until he reached his mandatory retirement age in 2010. In 2012, Brunett was appointed as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Oakland and held that position until a permanent bishop was installed in 2013.