Bishop of the Poor and Apostle of East Africa
Virtues
Acceptance of Weakness and Suffering
Availability and love for the People God gave him to Serve
Simplicity
The Orginal Cathedral that McCauley Assumed for the Diocese of Fort Portal
The Cathedral he built and named "Our Lady of Snows, Virika Cathedral "
The Newly renovated Cathedral opened in 2025
Contributions to the Catholic Church
Founding Bishop of Fort Portal Catholic Diocese
Missionary
PROFILE
1936-57: Rev. Vincent McCauley, C.S.C., ministered in Bangladesh before being medically evacuated by the U.S. Army during WWII. Inspired by his missionary years, he brought back a refrain: “Wanted to build a better world: Few architects, more bricklayers. ”1958-61: Fr. McCauley led the Congregation’s new mission to Uganda in 1958. In 1961 he was appointed the inaugural bishop of Fort Portal by Pope St. John XXIII. He chose as his episcopal motto, “Mariam Sequens Non Divias ” (“Following Mary, You Do Not Go Astray ”). 1962-65: At Vatican II, Bishop McCauley arranged for the East African bishops to stay at the same hotel — a small act that strengthened their collective voice. Shortly after, he published a translation of Vatican II documents, instituted lay Eucharistic ministers, and curtailed liturgical experimentation in his diocese. 1963: He built bridges between Catholics andmAnglicans by establishing the ecumenical Uganda Joint Christian Council. 1964-79: As a leader in the conference of East African bishops (AMECEA), he supported refugees and helped establish the Catholic University of East Africa in 1979. 1982: Bishop McCauley died during surgery at age 76 and was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery, Notre Dame, Indiana.
Solid, Quiet, Unassuming Spirituality
Bishop Vincent McCauley, C.S.C. a Holy Cross religious who gave his life in service to the mission of bringing hope beyond borders was on April 28th 2025 Declared Co Patron for the Congregation of Holy cross Year of Mission: themed “Hope Beyond Borders”.
Co Patron Year of Mission
Bishop McCauley persevered in his desire to serve in the missions, and in 1958, he led the Congregation’s new mission to Uganda. In 1961, he was appointed bishop of the newly created Diocese of Fort Portal. In addition to building the diocese from the ground up, he was known for his compassion, guiding the Church in aiding countless refugees, widows, and orphans during the political turmoil of 1960s and 70s. For him, as the Constitutions state, “The face of every human being who suffers is for us the face of Jesus” (8:114).
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The Gospel, the Church, must be incarnated in the African culture in which we live. SERVANT OF GOD VINCENT McCAULEY
Lives touched by his generosity
HIS PERSONALITY
Countries Reached
Meals Distributed
Local Ministries Supported
Prayers Answered
Hands and hearts behind the mission
Volunteers are the heartbeat of our organization. From delivering aid to comforting the lonely, their acts of love make all the difference.
With grateful hearts to our partners
Our work wouldn’t be possible without the faithful support of our partners and sponsors around the globe.
Legacy and Influence
Contributions to the Catholic Church
Building Our Lady of Snows Virika Cathedral
Lasting Impact on the Community and Beyond
