5 Questions with ... Cause of Servant of God Vincent McCauley
In our third installment of our "5 Questions with ... " interview series we have an interview with Br. Adolf Mugume, C.S.C., who is currently the Director of Communications for the Congregation of Holy Cross in Rome. We are delighted to bring you this 5-plus edition of our interview series. You can learn more about Servant of God Vincent McCauley here on his page at American Saints and Causes. Thank you, Br. Adolf, for participating!
(If you are associated with a cause and would like to participate in our interview series, email us or use the form on our Contact Us page.)
American Saints and Causes: Would you please introduce yourself and how you became involved with the cause of Servant of God Vincent McCauley?
Brother Adolf: My name is Brother Adolf Mugume, C.S.C., and I currently serve as Director of Communications for the Congregation of Holy Cross in Rome. My involvement with Bishop McCauley’s cause has deep roots in my ministry and personal history, as he is the founding bishop of my home diocese, Fort Portal, where he dedicated a significant part of his life to serving as pastor, bishop and held several other roles after his retirement. Additionally, I am actively involved in promoting his devotion just like my other Holy Cross Conferers in the process of canonization, “Friends of Moreau”, for the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. In fact, I have just returned from Uganda where I was making inquiries and interviews with his eye witnesses who are still alive. Part of my responses will be based on the information I obtained about Servant of God Bishop McCauley from the people he personally impacted and served with. I am also in the process of producing a documentary that highlights the enduring impact of his ministry, aimed at inspiring people of God to pray through his intercession or be devoted to his virtues exemplary life.
American Saints and Causes: Because much of his ministry was in Africa, few people in the United States know about Bishop McCauley. Who was he? What does he mean to the faithful in Africa?
Brother Adolf: According to the Congregation of Holy Cross archives, Bishop McCauley was born on March 8, 1906, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, the eldest of six siblings. His early education at St. Francis Xavier Parish School ignited a passion for missionary work, which was further fueled by Holy Cross priests during a mission at his parish in 1924. This inspiration led him to leave Creighton University and join the Congregation of Holy Cross at Notre Dame, where he was ordained in 1934.
His missionary journey began in East Bengal, now part of Bangladesh and India, where he served the marginalized Kuki Christians. Health challenges eventually brought him back to the U.S. in 1944. In 1958, he was sent with four others to establish a new mission in Uganda, and in 1961, in this mission that is now the Congregation of Holy Cross Province of East Africa, he played a leadership role for the team. After serving in ministerial roles including pastor at Bukwali Parish in Fort Portal where a considerable number of his eye witnesses are still living and the current predecessor is so devoted to rejuvenating his missionary vigor in the life of the parish. Fr. Moses Mutangirizi told me in an interview that there is no better model of ministry that he personally appreciates than that of Missionaries like Bishop McCauley established. We are now seeing a junior school named after McCauley coming up, youth programs and leadership training programs are underway, an adoration chapel to enhance devotional prayer life, programs for the empowerment and training of catechists in sustainability etc. It was from Bukwali Parish that Bishop McCauley was appointed the first bishop of Fort Portal by Pope St. John XXIII, adopting the motto “Mariam Sequens Non Divias” (“Following Mary, You Do Not Go Astray”).
When an earthquake of 1964 hit and destroyed the old Cathedral Church to ashes, Bishop McCauley built a new Cathedral (1967 - 1968) named Our Lady of Snows Virika Cathedral. This Cathedral was recently renovated, maintaining its originality as a way of promoting his cause and devotion.
Bishop McCauley was locally known as a friend of the poor and a pivotal figure in East Africa’s Catholic community. He played an instrumental role at Vatican II, facilitating collaboration among East African bishops and implementing changes that resonated with the African tradition. His commitment to ecumenical dialogue, particularly through the Uganda Joint Christian Council, and his advocacy for education led to the establishment of key institutions such as the Catholic University of East Africa. His legacy is significant in that he cultivated an inclusive Church that respected African values while promoting interfaith initiatives.
American Saints and Causes: What can the faithful best learn from Bishop McCauley's witness to Christ to help their own vocation to holiness?
Brother Adolf: Bishop McCauley's life exemplifies the call to serve those in need and see beyond superficial divides of religion, race, and status, emphasizing our shared humanity. His message focused on a notion that we are all neighbors in God's eyes, and that our mission is to foster a society rooted in justice and peace. As we face growing challenges to our faith and communities, we must remember that our growth as individuals and as a Church should be intertwined with our love for God and our neighbors. He demonstrated the importance of building relationships and empowering the youth, which is crucial for nurturing future generations of faith.
The Church and faith are bridges that guide us in our journey to holiness, seeing in everyone the image of God, being charitable and a good neighbor, serving strangers and people beyond our own family and ethnic backgrounds which he did well without counting the cost for he often said in his mission appeal slogan “Wanted! To build a better world: Fewer architects, more bricklayers.” This year, the Congregation of Holy Cross has chosen Bishop McCauley as one of the co-patrons for the year of mission owing to the fact that he was a religious who exemplified a life dedicated to the mission of spreading hope beyond borders. His statement “Wanted! To build a new world. Fewer Architects More Bricklayers” is an invitation to us to serve God, thus a journey to our personal holiness.
American Saints and Causes: How has Servant of God Vincent McCauley impacted you? How has he helped you live your faith?
Brother Adolf: Bishop McCauley loved everyone he met, embracing God’s people with open arms. His generosity was legendary. He never hesitated to help those in need and he very well understood what neighbouring those we serve meant. This has remained a big inspiration for my ministry and has helped me grow in my faith, understanding that our ministry is about self giving and serving others without counting the cost. Secondly, Bishop McCauley has profoundly influenced my perspective of religious life, despite enduring countless operations, his spirit remained unbroken. He carried suffering with grace, often referring to his body as “the old model” that just needed a tune up before continuing his journey to serve God’s people. This has helped me appreciate the fact that even with difficulties and challenges in ministry we still should try to be at our best. McCauley had much to worry about with the pain and surgeries but continued serving with vigor -- no not me then who has no health complications. This has truly helped me to remain committed to doing God's work with zeal wherever I am posted. Furthermore, his example of who is my neighbor encourages me to be conscious of those in need. His missionary life also inspires me to serve God’s people wherever I am sent. I see myself doing missionary work and looking onto him for inspiration. I appreciate the fact that he was intentional about mentoring leaders; this has impacted me greatly to always mentor those in need of spiritual guidance and give hope to the younger generation through mentorship, ensuring they grow to find hope in God, appreciate and respect His creation. This commitment has helped me live my religious life knowing that commitment to integral ecology reminds us that understanding our Creator leads to a deeper respect for his work of creation and the world around us.
American Saints and Causes: What are the next steps for the cause? Is there a timeframe in which the Dicastery might be reviewing his position for a potential decree on his heroic virtues?
Brother Adolf: Currently, Bishop McCauley is recognized as a Servant of God, and the next step is being declared venerable, then beatification to be a blessed, and then to sainthood. The Diocese of Fort Portal, the Congregation of Holy Cross Province of East Africa and the Congregation of Holy Cross are diligently uniting in prayer to inspire his devotion globally for a miracle to be realized for the step of beatification.
American Saints and Causes: If someone wanted to help, how could they best support or assist the work of the cause?
Brother Adolf: There are numerous ways to assist in enhancing a devotion to Bishop McCauley’s cause. One vital initiative is to make his heroic work known as a way of encouraging people to pray through his intercession and let the concerned people know incase of anything extraordinary. Secondly, I am very intentional and I believe if we do more documenting his life and works digitally, allowing more people to hear the testimonies of those he served and worked alongside. Something that I have been passionate about is going around interviewing his eye witnesses and the people he served. It has actually helped me learn a lot about his life lived with virtues of holiness. Additionally, I would think establishing a resource center dedicated to sharing his story through various media such as research initiatives, symposiums, podcasts and written accounts can help spread awareness of his legacy and thus inspire a devotion to him. Lastly, creating youth-led programs focused on celebrating his life and fostering devotion will ensure that his example, and legacy, of nurturing a church that is alive continues to inspire future generations in their faith journey.
American Saints and Causes: What are some personal views you have of Bishop McCauley from your findings about him?
Brother Adolf: Several things.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Bishop McCauley faced significant personal health challenges throughout his life, undergoing over 54 surgeries. Despite these trials, he remained steadfast in his commitment to serve God's people. His ability to persevere through adversity serves as an inspiration to those battling illness, reminding us that faith and hope in Christ can transcend personal suffering.
Compassionate Outreach to Refugees: He consistently made time to serve these vulnerable populations, understanding their plight. He did not only provide help but also fostered hope and dignity among those he served today. The question of immigration and refugees is a big puzzle, reminding us of the Gospel call to care for the least among us.
Commitment to Education: Bishop McCauley played a significant role in shaping education in East and Central Africa. He was instrumental in the establishment of numerous high schools and higher education institutions, including seminaries and catechetical centers like Mugalike that are now forming ministers of the Church. His dedication to education in the faith was not merely about academic achievement; it was about empowering individuals with knowledge and skills that would uplift entire communities.
Empowerment of Women and Catechists: Bishop McCauley recognized the vital role of women in the Church and society. He actively integrated African women into the service of the Church, appointing them as catechists and leaders in various ministries. His efforts to empower women exemplified his commitment to inclusivity and the belief that everyone has a role to play in the mission of the Church.
Preferential option to the poor: Throughout his ministry, Bishop McCauley was a steadfast advocate for the poor, providing both material support and spiritual guidance. He made himself available to those in need, often prioritizing their welfare above his own comforts. His commitment to the poor was evident in the various initiatives he led, ensuring that the marginalized received the assistance they required. His life exemplified the Christian calling to serve the less fortunate, embodying his Holy Cross communities preferential option for the poor.
Promotion of Interfaith Dialogue: Bishop McCauley was visionary in fostering ecumenical relationships among different faiths and even cultures. He initiated the Uganda Joint Christian Council, which encouraged collaborative prayers and dialogue among diverse Christian denominations. Today this has helped different faith groups to work together and pray together. In the Diocese of Fort portal up to today they conduct an ecumenical way of the cross during Holy Week. This commitment to interfaith cooperation was a reflection of his belief in unity and understanding, emphasizing that the pursuit of peace transcends religious boundaries. His work in this area helped to cultivate an environment of mutual respect and collaboration among various faith communities.
Mentorship of Priests and Religious: Bishop McCauley was dedicated to nurturing the next generation of Church leaders. He invested time and resources into mentoring indigenous clergy, preparing them to take on leadership roles within the diocese. His successor, Bishop Magabo Abwooli was one of the many individuals who benefited from his mentorship. The current Bishop Robert Muhiirwa also attests to having benefited from the mentorship of Bishop McCauley. Through these initiatives, he ensured that the Church could thrive within the cultural context of Africa, empowering indigenous voices to lead their communities. "The gospel, the Church, must be incarnated in the African culture in which we live.” - Bishop McCauley
Thanks again, Br. Adolf Mgume, for helping us learn more about Servant of God Bishop Vincent McCauley! You can learn more about Bishop McCauley here on his page at American Saints and Causes and here at the Congregation of the Holy Cross.