Nigerian priest Benjamin Madu dies in US after return order as parish mourns and police await autopsy result.
A quiet parish in Massachusetts is mourning the sudden death of a Nigerian born priest who dedicated more than four years of his life to serving the community.
Rev Benjamin Okwy Madu popularly called Father Ben was 54 and served Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish in Gloucester and Rockport for over four years. He also worked as a chaplain at Salem Hospital where he supported patients and families in their most difficult moments. He had served for nearly 25 years in the priesthood including his work as chaplain.
Father Ben was found dead on Thursday July 2 in Massachusetts just weeks before he was expected to return to Nigeria. His death was announced by Pastor Rev James M Achadinha who described it as a devastating loss to the entire Catholic community.
He would have marked his 25th anniversary in priesthood days after his passing. He was ordained at St Theresa Cathedral Abakaliki in Ebonyi State and had spent about eight years ministering in the United States.
According to the Archdiocese of Boston his R1 religious worker visa was due to expire on July 29. Under United States immigration rules he had to leave the country to renew it. Church officials said Nigeria is among 75 countries where processing of some immigration cases has been suspended which made it difficult to keep him legally.
The Archdiocese said his visa was due to expire later in July and he had been preparing to leave after being directed by his Bishop in the Diocese of Abakaliki to return home earlier than originally planned. According to another church update his visa was set to expire later this month and due to anti immigration policies he faced deportation despite petitions and he was ordered by his Bishop to return home earlier this summer.
Before his death Father Ben wrote a farewell message titled Goodbye from My Heart. In it he said his heart was broken yet his joy remained. He spoke about missing the home he found away from home and thanked parishioners for their love warmth and generosity.
Parishioners had petitioned and worked with immigration attorneys to help him remain in the United States but those efforts did not succeed before his death.
Church and law enforcement officials have not released full details of his death. A representative of the Essex County District Attorney Office said foul play was not suspected and that an autopsy was pending to determine the exact cause.
A person familiar with the matter told NBC News that Father Ben died by suicide. The report has not been officially confirmed as authorities continue their investigation and await the autopsy result.
Archbishop Richard Henning of the Archdiocese of Boston has expressed condolences to his family brother priests and friends in Nigeria and to all those he ministered to in Cape Ann and at Salem Hospital.
The Catholic community in Gloucester and Rockport has described him as a priest who served with true joy kindness and generosity. Many have taken to social media to share memories of his homilies his laughter and his commitment to pastoral service.
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