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Emmett McLoughlin
Emmett McLoughlin (born John Patrick McLoughlin, Feb. 3, 1907 - Oct. 9, 1970) was a Catholic priest of the Franciscan order who became known in the 1930s as an advocate for low-inc...view moreEmmett McLoughlin (born John Patrick McLoughlin, Feb. 3, 1907 - Oct. 9, 1970) was a Catholic priest of the Franciscan order who became known in the 1930s as an advocate for low-income housing in Phoenix, Arizona. He left the priesthood in 1948 in order to remain superintendent of St. Monica’s (later Phoenix Memorial) Hospital, and wrote a number of books, including his autobiography People’s Padre.
He grew up in Sacramento, California and entered St. Anthony’s seminary in Santa Barbara, California. He took the name Emmett during his novitiate in the Franciscan Order. After his ordination in 1933 he was assigned a parish in Phoenix, Arizona, and began work there that would last for 14 years. During that time he founded and directed St. Monica’s Hospital, organized a slum clearance campaign, was instrumental in applying for federal funds for the Matthew Henson public housing projects (opened in 1940), was appointed as the first chairman of the Phoenix Housing Authority in 1939, and served as secretary of the state Board of Health.
McLoughlin decided that his work for the hospital and urban renewal was more important than his vow of obedience. He resigned as a member of the Catholic priesthood on December 1, 1948 to remain head of the hospital with the support of its board of directors, many of whom were Catholic.
On August 13, 1949 he married Mary Davis, whom he met when she came to work at Phoenix Memorial Hospital. He achieved more national prominence with the publication of his autobiography, People’s Padre in 1954. His other published works include American Culture and Catholic Schools (1960), Crime and Immorality in the Catholic Church (1962) and An Inquiry in the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln (1963).
McLoughlin moved to Oklahoma where he died in 1970. He is buried in Berwyn Cemetery, Gene Autry, Carter County in Oklahoma.
The city of Phoenix named the Emmett McLoughlin Community Training & Education Center in his honor.view less