Interim Priest Selected for Lancaster Parish

By Bronislaus B. Kush
Telegram & Gazette
January 30, 2014

http://www.telegram.com/article/20140130/NEWS/301309524/1246

The Rev. Thomas Hultquist, the pastor of the former St. Joseph Parish in Barre, has been named the temporary administrator at Immaculate Conception Parish on Main Street.

He will fill in until a pastor is named to replace the Rev. Edward Lettic, who was relieved of his pastoral duties last weekend after an allegation of sexual misconduct was made against the longtime clergyman.

Rev. Hultquist, a native of Northbridge, was pastor at St. Joseph's from 1992 until last year when that congregation was merged with St. Thomas-a-Becket Parish to form St. Francis of Asissi Parish.

Ordained in 1976, he has served as associate pastor at St. Joseph's in North Brookfield, the former St. Camillus Parish in Fitchburg, St. Peter's Parish in Worcester, and St. Cecelia's Parish in Leominster.

Bishop Robert J. McManus placed Rev. Lettic on administrative leave after a man made a complaint that he was sexually abused by the priest 40 years ago.

The complaint is being investigated by the diocese and the Worcester district attorney's office.

Rev. Lettic, who has been pastor at Immaculate Conception since 1993, could be removed from the priesthood if he is found guilty by the church of misconduct.

He entered the priesthood in 1973 and has worked at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Worcester; St. Denis Parish in Douglas and St. Joseph's Parish in Auburn.

Officials said a new pastor for Immaculate Conception could be chosen by June, the customary time that annual priestly assignments are announced by the diocese.