WORCESTER, Mass. (CNS) -- Bishop Robert J. McManus of Worcester announced in a letter to the priests of his diocese that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

According to a May 20 news release posted on the diocese's website, he will undergo surgery June 26 at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester.

In the letter, he said he was grateful that his surgery can wait until then so he can "complete his pastoral duties" at this time of the year. Those duties include many confirmation liturgies, the May 31 ordination of deacons, the June 6 ordination of priests, and various college and high school commencement exercises and baccalaureate Masses.

Also on his schedule is an annual gathering with the priests of the diocese in early June.

The evening of May 20, he was in Webster for a visit by Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow to St. Joseph Basilica. On May 21, Bishop McManus was to preside over the dedication of the recently completed chapel in the new St. Vincent Cancer and Wellness Center in Worcester.

Bishop McManus will be recovering from his surgery during July.

A Rhode Island native, Bishop McManus has headed the Diocese of Worcester since 2004. He previously served for five years as an auxiliary bishop in Providence, Rhode Island.