A Nigerian Catholic priest serving in Massachusetts, United States, has died after being directed to leave the country and return to Nigeria, where he had repeatedly expressed fear about his safety.
Reverend Benjamin Okwy Madu, 54, died on July 2 at his home in Lynnfield, Massachusetts. The Archdiocese of Boston said he had worked as a hospital chaplain and parish priest in the Cape Ann area since 2021.
His R-1 religious worker visa was scheduled to expire on July 29. However, reports said his home Diocese of Abakaliki instructed him to return to Nigeria before that date so he could begin a new assignment on August 4.
Before his death, Madu had told members of his parish that he did not want to return to Nigeria.
In a farewell message published on his parish’s website, he explained that his stay in the United States was ending because of circumstances outside his control.
According to reports by the Boston Globe, Madu suffered a panic attack while driving to celebrate Mass on the Sunday before his death. He was taken to a hospital emergency room for treatment.
The National Catholic Register, quoting an internal email from Boston Archbishop Richard Henning to fellow priests, reported that Madu died by suicide.
While the Archdiocese confirmed his death, its public statement did not mention the cause.
Authorities in Massachusetts are investigating the case.
The office of Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said the Massachusetts State Police are handling the investigation and that there is no suspicion of foul play.
