A Nigerian Catholic priest, Rev. Benjamin Madu, has died in Massachusetts, United States, just weeks before he was scheduled to return to Nigeria following the expiration of his religious worker visa.
Rev. Madu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, passed away on Thursday after serving for several years as a hospital chaplain and parish priest in Massachusetts.
His death was announced by Father Jim Achadinha, pastor of the Catholic communities of Gloucester and Rockport, who described the incident as a devastating loss to the church and the faithful.
According to Achadinha, Rev. Madu served Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish with exceptional kindness, generosity, and dedication, touching the lives of many parishioners during his ministry.
Authorities have not officially disclosed the cause of his death, although the Essex County District Attorney’s Office said there is no suspicion of foul play. An autopsy is expected to determine the exact cause while efforts continue to notify his family in Nigeria.
NBC News, citing a source familiar with the matter, reported that the priest died by suicide. However, officials have not publicly confirmed that account.
Archbishop Richard Henning of the Archdiocese of Boston expressed condolences to Rev. Madu’s family, fellow priests, friends, and the many people he served both in Nigeria and the United States.
Since 2021, Rev. Madu had worked primarily as a chaplain at Salem Hospital while also ministering at St. Ann’s, Our Lady of Good Voyage in Gloucester, and St. Joachim’s in Rockport. He was expected to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination this week, having been ordained at St. Theresa Cathedral in Abakaliki.
The priest had planned to leave the United States this month after his R-1 religious worker visa was set to expire on July 29. Church authorities directed him to return to Nigeria earlier than initially scheduled, in line with U.S. immigration rules requiring him to leave the country before applying for a visa renewal.
His impending departure had saddened many parishioners, who affectionately called him “Father Ben” and praised his compassionate ministry to patients, families, and members of the local community.
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In a farewell message shared on the parish’s website last month, Rev. Madu acknowledged his disappointment about leaving the United States.
He wrote that although returning to Nigeria was not his desire, circumstances beyond his control had brought his time in America to an end, adding that while his heart was broken, he remained hopeful.
He also expressed optimism about returning to continue his ministry in the future and thanked the community for the love and support he received during his stay.
As of the time of filing this report, the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki had not issued an official statement regarding his death.
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