Vincent Madeley Harris

Vincent Madeley Harris (October 14, 1913 – March 31, 1988) was an American clergyman of the Catholic Church (Roman Rite). He served as Bishop of Beaumont (1966-1971) and Bishop of Austin (1971-1985).

Vincent Harris was born in Conroe, Texas, to George Malcolm and Margaret (née Madeley) Harris. After graduating from Sam Houston High School in 1931, he attended St. Mary's Seminary in La Porte until 1934, when he was sent by Bishop Christopher Edward Byrne to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He there earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (1936) and Bachelor of Canon Law magna cum laude (1939). While in Rome, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Ralph Leo Hayes on March 19, 1938.

Harris then furthered his studies at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where he earned a Licentiate of Canon Law in 1940. Following his return to the Diocese of Galveston in 1940, he became a professor at St. Mary's Seminary in La Porte. He was later named chancellor of the diocese in 1948 and a diocesan consultor in 1953. He was raised to the rank of Domestic Prelate by Pope Pius XII in 1956.