Nigerian Catholic Priest Dies In US Weeks Before Planned Return Home

A Nigerian Catholic priest, Rev. Benjamin Madu, has died in the United States while preparing to return to Nigeria following the expiration of his religious worker visa, bringing to an end years of pastoral ministry in Massachusetts.

Rev. Madu, a priest of the Diocese of Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, died on Thursday after serving as a hospital chaplain and parish priest in the state of Massachusetts.

Church officials announced his death, describing it as a profound loss to the Catholic communities he served.

Father Jim Achadinha, pastor of the Catholic communities of Gloucester and Rockport, said Rev. Madu ministered with compassion, generosity and joy throughout his years of service.

"Rev. Benjamin Madu served Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish with true joy, kindness and generosity," Achadinha said, describing his passing as a devastating loss.

Authorities have not disclosed the cause of death.

A spokesperson for the Essex County District Attorney's Office said foul play is not suspected, adding that an autopsy would be conducted while officials work to contact the priest's family in Nigeria.

According to NBC News, citing a person familiar with the matter, the priest died by suicide. Authorities have not officially confirmed that information.

Archbishop Richard Henning of the Archdiocese of Boston expressed condolences to the priest's family, fellow clergy and parishioners.

"Our prayers and heartfelt condolences to his family, brother priests and friends in Nigeria as well as the many people Fr. Benjamin Madu ministered to here in Cape Ann and at Salem Hospital," the archbishop said.

Rev. Madu had served primarily as a chaplain at Salem Hospital since 2021 while also ministering at St. Ann's and Our Lady of Good Voyage in Glouceste as well as St. Joachim's Parish in Rockport.

His death came just days before the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination, which would have been commemorated at St. Theresa Cathedral in Abakaliki.

The priest had been scheduled to return to Nigeria this month after his R-1 religious worker visa approached its July 29 expiration date.

Church officials said his home diocese directed him to return earlier in July instead of later in the month as originally planned. Under United States immigration regulations, he was required to leave the country before applying for a visa renewal.

His impending departure had saddened parishioners, many of whom affectionately called him "Father Ben" and praised his dedication to patients, families and members of the local Catholic community.

In a farewell message published on his parish's website last month, Rev. Madu acknowledged his disappointment at having to leave the United States.

"Sincerely, it is not my wish to return home right now, but circumstances beyond my control have warranted that my time in the United States come to an end. My heart is broken, yet my joy remains," he wrote.

Despite his disappointment, he expressed hope that he would one day return to continue his ministry among the people he had grown to love.

As of Tuesday, the Diocese of Abakaliki had not issued an official statement on his death.