Nigerian priest, Massachusetts, Catholic Church, Benjamin Okwy Madu, US visa, Nigeria, Archdiocese of Boston, immigration, Ebonyi priest
A Nigerian Catholic priest serving in the United States has died after reportedly expressing deep concerns about returning to Nigeria following the expiration of his religious worker visa.
The Rev. Benjamin Okwy Madu, 54, was found dead at his residence in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, on July 2. The Archdiocese of Boston, where he had served as a hospital chaplain and parish priest since 2021, later confirmed his passing. Church officials have indicated that he died by suicide.
Father Madu’s R-1 religious worker visa was scheduled to expire on July 29. According to reports, his home Diocese of Abakaliki in Ebonyi State had directed him to return to Nigeria before that date to begin a new pastoral assignment in early August.
In the weeks leading up to his death, the priest reportedly spoke openly about his reluctance to return to Nigeria. In a farewell message to members of his parish, he said his departure from the United States was not by choice but was the result of circumstances beyond his control.
Parishioners also recalled that he appeared emotionally distressed in the days before his death. One church member said Father Madu experienced a panic attack while driving to celebrate Mass and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Boston Archbishop Richard Henning informed fellow priests of Father Madu’s death in an internal communication, while the Archdiocese later issued a public statement expressing sorrow over the loss of the respected cleric.
Authorities in Massachusetts have opened an investigation into the death. The Essex County District Attorney’s Office said foul play is not suspected, with the case being handled by the Massachusetts State Police.
The U.S.-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition has linked the tragedy to the priest’s anxiety about returning to Nigeria, citing ongoing security concerns affecting members of the clergy. The group also pointed to immigration policies that reportedly prevented any extension of his visa.
Father Madu was born on May 15, 1972, in Nigeria and was ordained at St. Theresa Cathedral in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. He had served in the Archdiocese of Boston for nearly six years under successive religious worker visas and was due to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination just days after his death.
Following the incident, the coalition urged U.S. authorities to reconsider deportation policies affecting Nigerian nationals and called for Temporary Protected Status for eligible Nigerians living in the United States.