A Missionary Heart
Early Life and Formation
Vincent Joseph McCauley was born March 8, 1906 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the eldest of six children to Charles McCauley and Mary Wickham. Raised in a devout Catholic home where the Rosary was prayed daily, he attended Creighton Preparatory School, excelling in baseball and playing semi-professionally to fund his education.
In November 1924, he entered the Congregation of Holy Cross. He professed perpetual vows on July 2, 1929, graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1930, and was ordained a priest on June 24, 1934 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame.
Missionary in Bengal (1936–1944)
Arriving in Dhaka on November 16, 1936, McCauley served in Bandhura teaching and forming catechists. He contracted malaria while evangelizing the Kuki people and later served as rector of Little Flower Seminary despite fragile health. His missionary heart never wavered, even as tropical diseases weakened his body. His contemporaries in Bengal reported that even during times of increasingly serious illness, "he was invariably enthusiastic, kind and cheerful."
Missionary in Uganda and First Bishop of Fort Portal
In 1958, despite grave health concerns, he was chosen to lead a Holy Cross mission to Uganda. On May 1961, he was consecrated the first Bishop of Fort Portal. He attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), embracing its call for inculturation and collegiality.
"The missionary's task is to build the local church, to plant the seeds of Faith and to nourish the tender plants in foreign gardens, then to move on to other gardens."
Acceptance of Suffering
Bishop McCauley suffered from facial skin cancer for close to forty years, undergoing more than fifty painful surgeries. He never complained. Those who saw the increasing, disfiguring effects of his facial cancer speak of never hearing him complain. It was clear to all that he trusted God's purpose, that he was where God wanted him to be, and that he endured significant pain with hope, never losing his joyful heart or hearty laugh.
Love for the People
He fell in love with the people of Bengal the minute he stepped off the boat. Bishop Magambo said of him: "Besides his work being invaluable, he was ever gentle and generous, ready to receive with sincere love every rank of people, high and low. Africa and Africans had become his lifeblood." Though he never knew the local language well, it was clear that he loved being among the people, greeting the children and the elderly, praying in rural villages. He visited more than 125 outstations of the parishes.
A Unifier and Collaborator
He was a prime mover in organizing gatherings of the African bishops at the Council and was elected chairman of AMECEA in 1964. Bishop Willigers of Jinja called McCauley "the main thrust in shaping the new Uganda Episcopal Conference." He was chief planner and fundraiser for Ggaba National Seminary and the AMECEA Pastoral Institute. The late Cardinal Otunga of Nairobi said: "Whatever unity we bishops in Eastern Africa have, we owe it to Bishop McCauley."
Special Concern for the Poor and Refugees
He organized relief and pastoral care for more than 60,000 homeless and orphans after the 1966 earthquake. Refugees came to Fort Portal diocese escaping civil unrest in Rwanda and the Congo. One Banyatereza sister testified that "he could not see a poor or needy person and remain unmoved." Once when a poor man came while he was resting and was turned away, he was angry: "How could you do that? You sent Jesus away!"
Final Years and Glorious Death
On November 1, 1982, the Solemnity of All Saints, he died while undergoing exploratory surgery. He was buried on November 4 — exactly 24 years to the day from his arrival in Uganda. Snow flurries fell that day. Since he had named the new cathedral in Fort Portal "Our Lady of the Snows," it seemed an appropriate sign of heaven's welcome. As Fr. John Croston wrote: "A valiant man of God died. A saint was born."
Quick Facts
Further Reading
Prayer
Grant that the Church may recognize the holiness of Servant of God Bishop Vincent Joseph McCauley for his Veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, his Missionary Zeal and his Service of others.
Let Us Pray for Bishop Vincent J. McCauley
God, our Father, you sent Vincent J. McCauley to be our Pastor and Bishop. Grant, we pray you, that his soul may enter eternal life in heaven. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
+ Serapio B. Magambo
Bishop of Fort Portal
January 27th, 1983
Qualities to Learn from This Zealous and Holy Life
Devotion to Mother Mary
"You cannot understand him at all apart from his devotion to Our Blessed Mother Mary. She was his heroine, his inseparable companion." — Fr. Fell
- Multiple pilgrimages to Lourdes
- "He seemed transfixed, as if Mary was speaking to him personally." — Fr. Croston
- Consecrated his diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
- Named Virika Cathedral "Our Lady of the Snows"
Simplicity
Never cared much for material things. Lived in a couple of simple rooms in a small building behind the diocesan offices and cathedral. Ate in a common dining room with all the diocesan staff and anyone else who might come by.
Availability to All
His office door was always open and welcoming. When he saw you, his first question after greeting was always: "What can I do to help you?"
Acceptance of Weakness and Suffering
His contemporaries reported that even during times of increasingly serious illness, "he was invariably enthusiastic, kind and cheerful." He endured significant pain with hope, never losing his joyful heart.
Love for the People God Gave Him to Serve
"He fell in love with the people of Bengal the minute he stepped off the boat." He visited more than 125 outstations of the parishes.
Creative Missionary Vision
He placed priority on training catechists, diocesan clergy, and religious sisters. He had the conviction that the Church in Africa must be led by Africans.
Unifier and Collaborator
Prime mover in organizing gatherings of African bishops at Vatican II. Called the "Father of AMECEA" by those who worked with him.
Special Concern for the Poor and Refugees
Organized relief for more than 60,000 homeless after the 1966 earthquake. "He could not see a poor or needy person and remain unmoved."
Timeline of a Missionary Life
— At his death, November 1, 1982 — Snow flurries fell as he was buried on November 4, exactly 24 years after his arrival in Uganda