First Bishop of Fort Portal · Missionary to Bengal & Uganda
English
Bishop McCauley died during surgery at the age of 76. He was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Notre Dame, Indiana. At his death, it was said: "A valiant man of God died, but a saint was born."
As a leading figure in the Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa (AMECEA), he supported refugee relief efforts and contributed to the founding of the Catholic University of East Africa in 1979.
In 1958, Fr. McCauley led the Congregation's new mission to Uganda. Three years later, he was appointed the first 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").
During the Second Vatican Council, Bishop McCauley helped unify the East African bishops by arranging for them to stay at the same hotel — an initiative that strengthened their shared voice. After the council, he published translations of its documents, introduced lay Eucharistic ministers, and guided liturgical practice in his diocese with prudence.
In 1958, Fr. McCauley led the Congregation's new mission to Uganda. Three years later, he was appointed the first 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").
Rev. Vincent McCauley, C.S.C., ministered in Bangladesh until he was medically evacuated by the U.S. Army during World War II. Reflecting on his missionary experience, he often repeated a guiding insight:
"If you want to build a better world, you need fewer architects and more bricklayers."
A mission appeal by Holy Cross priests inspired Vincent McCauley to join the Congregation. After professing his final vows on July 2, 1929, and graduating from the Foreign Mission Seminary in Washington, D.C., he was ordained to the priesthood on June 24, 1936.