Grief as Nigerian Priest Takes Own Life After Being Told to Leave US
- Rev. Benjamin Madu, a Nigerian priest of the Diocese of Abakaliki, died in Massachusetts on Thursday as he prepared to leave the US after his religious worker visa neared expiry
- Church officials described the death as a devastating loss, with Archbishop Richard Henning of the Archdiocese of Boston extending condolences to his family and parishioners
- A source familiar with the matter told NBC News the priest died by taking his own life, though the Essex County District Attorney's Office said foul play was not suspected
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A Nigerian Catholic priest, Rev Benjamin Madu, has been confirmed dead by the church officials in Massachusetts, United States. The cleric had been preparing to leave the US following the expiration of his religious worker visa.
Madu, who is a priest of the Diocese of Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, reportedly died on Thursday, July 9, after he had served as a hospital chaplain and parish priest in Massachusetts.
Source: Twitter
The cause of death has not been officially disclosed. A spokesperson for the Essex County District Attorney's Office confirmed that foul play was not suspected, and an autopsy was expected to be conducted as officials worked to reach Madu's relatives in Nigeria. A person familiar with the matter told NBC News the priest died by taking his own life.
More details as Nigerian priest dies in US
Madu had been ministering at Salem Hospital as a chaplain since 2021, while also serving parishioners at St. Ann's and Our Lady of Good Voyage in Gloucester and St. Joachim's in Rockport. His R-1 religious worker visa was set to expire on July 29, and his home diocese had instructed him to depart the country in early July rather than later in the month as he had originally planned. Under United States immigration rules, he was required to leave before he could apply to renew the visa.
His imminent departure had been a source of sadness for the communities he had served. Known affectionately as "Father Ben," he was widely praised for his ministry to patients and their families at Salem Hospital and to the broader local congregation. In a farewell message published on the parish website last month, Madu expressed his disappointment at leaving but told parishioners he hoped to one day return and continue the ministry he had grown to love.
Thursday would have fallen just days before a particularly significant milestone: Tuesday was set to mark the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at St. Theresa Cathedral in Abakaliki.
The Diocese of Abakaliki had not issued a public statement on his death at the time of this report.
Source: Legit.ng
