Edward Aloysius McGurkin

Edward Aloysius McGurkin, M.M. (June 22, 1905 – August 28, 1983) was an American-born Catholic missionary and bishop. As a member of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America (Maryknoll), he was assigned to missions in Manchuria and Tanzania. He served as the Bishop of Shinyanga from 1956-1975.

Early life and education Edward McGurkin was born in Hartford, Connecticut, to Michael and Katherine (Gleason) McGurkin. He was educated in the Hartford public schools before enrolling at St. Thomas Preparatory Seminary. He was ordained a priest on September 14, 1930.

Priesthood After his ordination McGurkin served as the English Editor of the Fides News Service and personal secretary to Cardinal Pietro Fumasoni Biondi, the Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples. McGurkin attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council. He served as the diocesan bishop until his resignation was accepted by Pope Paul VI on January 30, 1975.

Later life and death Bishop McGurkin retired to Maryknoll where he was engaged as a spiritual director with Cursillo and involved with Charismatic renewal and other pastoral work. He died on August 28, 1983, at the age of 78. His funeral Mass was celebrated in the Queen of Apostles Chapel on August 31, 1983, by Bishop John Comber, M.M. He was buried in the Maryknoll Center Cemetery.