Born in Charlottetown, P.E.I. on March 14, 1958, the son of Richard T. Hogan and Marion MacDonald. He received his formal eduacation in Charlottetown schools, graduating from Colonel Gray Sr. High School in 1976 and from the University of Prince Edward Island in 1980 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, double-majoring Psychology and Religous Studies.

In 1981 he entered St. Paul's University-Seminary in Ottawa graduating with a Bachelor of Theology Degree in 1984. After a year of parish ministry at St. Joseph's Parish in Kelly's Cross and St. Pius X Parish in Charlottetown, he returned to Ottawa to begin a Master of Arts Degree, specializing in Pastoral Counselling, which he obtained from the University of Ottawa in 1987. He was ordained to the Priesthood on August 8, 1986 at St. Dunstan's Basilica in Charlottetown.

After completing his studies, he was stationed to Holy Redeemer Parish in Charlottetown and as chaplain at Sleepy Hollow Correctional Centre, a minimum-security correctional facility. In October 1988, along with his ministry at Sleepy Hollow, he was named as Administrator of St. Patrick's Parish in Fort Augustus and Sacred Heart Church, Mount Ryan. In June of 1989 he was named Pastor of St. Patrick's and Sacred Heart, a position he held until June 1995.

From June until September 1995, he acted as administrator of Holy Redeemer Parish in Charlottetown. In September 1995, he returned to St. Paul University in Ottawa for further studies, earning a Master's Degree in Canon Law in 1997. On returning to P.E.I., he was made Administrator of St. Augustine's Parish, South Rustico and St. Marys of the People Mission, Hunter River, as well as Chancellor of the Diocese of Charlottetown. In 2000 he was named Vicar General of the Diocese of Charlottetown. The Vicar General assists the Bishop in the governance of the entire diocese.

In June 2001, along with his duties as Vicar General and Chancellor he was named as Assistant at Holy Redeemer Parish in Charlottetown, to assist the pastor with the Sacramental Ministry of the parish.