January 30, 2014, WORCESTER, MA –Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, has appointed Fr. Thomas Hultquist as temporary administrator of Immaculate Conception Parish in Lancaster. Fr. Hultquist replaces Fr. Edward Lettic who was placed on administrative leave by Bishop McManus last week due to a credible allegation of sexual misconduct with a minor forty years ago.
Fr. Hultquist is a native of Whitinsville and was ordained in 1976. He was pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Barre from 1992 until 2013 when St. Joseph Parish was merged with St. Thomas-a-Becket Parish in South Barre to form St. Francis of Assisi Parish in July 2013. Prior to Barre, his assignments as associate pastor included St. Joseph, North Brookfield; St. Camillus, Fitchburg; St. Peter, Worcester and St. Cecilia, Leominster.
It is anticipated that a permanent pastor will be appointed by Bishop McManus in June when other pastoral assignments are customarily announced.