Andreas Cruesen

Andreas Cruesen (Maastricht, 1591 - Brussels, 1666-11-09) was the fourth bishop of Roermond, from 1651 to 1657. In that year he was created Archbishop of Mechelen. His personal motto was: "Victrix fortunae sapientia" (Wisdom overcomes fate).

After he visited the Latin school and the Jesuit college of his native town he continued his studies in Rome. He obtained his doctoral degree in theology at the University of Vienna. He was appointed a councillor to the German Emperor and great-chaplain to the imperial armies in Germany and Hungary. After he returned to the Low Countries he was made a canon of the cathedral of Cambrai in 1630. In 1640 he was appointed archdeacon of Brabant and in 1651 bishop of Roermond. In 1657 he was appointed to the see of Mechelen. After his death in Brussels in 1666 he was buried in the choir of the St. Rumbolds Cathedral in Mechelen. His funeral monument was designed and executed by the famous sculptor Lucas Faydherbe.