Elliott MacGuigan S.J.
1905 – 1985

Fr. Elliott MacGuigan was born in 1905, in Prince Edward Island. During his youth he trained as an Olympic Runner. In 1924 Elliott MacGuigan entered the Society of Jesus.  After studying classics he proceeded to Weston, earning a Master of Arts degree in 1932.  He later went on to earn doctorates in Canon Law and Moral Theology. In 1936, he was ordained to the priesthood. 

In 1941 Fr. MacGuigan went to St. Paul’s College, Winnipeg and assumed the post of Dean of Studies.  Two years later he was asked to join the new faculty of theology at Regis College, a relationship that would endure for the next 33 years.  He served as Dean from 1945-50, and as Rector from 1950-56.  

From his earliest years in Toronto, Fr. MacGuigan made a special effort to extend his teaching ministry to women religious.  In the 1960’s he concerned himself with interfaith and ecumenical dialogue.  He took a leading role in the creation of the Toronto School of Theology and its affiliation with the University of Toronto. In 1981, the classroom building at Regis College was named in his honour.

As a pioneer in the development of Clinical Pastoral Education he served on a number of CAPPE/ACPEP Boards including the National Accreditation and Certification Committee. He was important to CPE because he was a strong and supportive voice from the Roman Catholic perspective. He was a wise person and this helped Canada’s fledgling CPE movement to avoid some early missteps.

Fr. J. Elliot MacGuigan died in 1985 at 80 years of age.