He was educated at the Trinity-Pawling School, before studying at the Union College from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1941.
He then enrolled at the Virginia Theological Seminary from where he earned his Bachelor of Divinity in 1943.
[2] Hastings was ordained deacon on September 26, 1943, in St Paul's Church, Troy, New York, by Bishop G. Ashton Oldham of Albany.
[3] He was then ordained priest in March 1944 by Bishop William Scarlett of Missouri.
[6][7] He was consecrated on October 23, 1981, in Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Joseph by Presiding Bishop John Allin.