Rev. Benjamin Okwy Madu, a Nigerian Catholic priest in Massachusetts, died by suicide days after being ordered to return to Nigeria, a country he said he feared for his safety.
Nigerian Priest Takes Own Life Days Before Forced Return to Nigeria
Reverend Benjamin Okwy Madu, 54, was found dead at his Lynnfield, Massachusetts home on July 2, days before his religious worker visa was set to expire on July 29, the Archdiocese of Boston confirmed.
Madu had served as a hospital chaplain and Cape Ann parish priest since 2021. His home Diocese of Abakaliki had reportedly pushed his return date up even earlier, ahead of a new assignment starting August 4.
In a farewell message posted online, Madu said leaving the US was “not his wish,” citing circumstances beyond his control.
Days before his death, he suffered a panic attack while driving to Mass, a parishioner told the Boston Globe.
Archbishop Richard Henning told priests in an internal email that Madu “tragically took his own life,” per a message seen by the National Catholic Register. The Archdiocese’s public statement did not describe it as suicide.
Massachusetts State Police are investigating; foul play isn’t suspected, Essex County DA’s office said.
The US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition linked his death to fear of returning to a region where clergy face kidnapping risks, urging a halt to Nigerian deportations and Temporary Protected Status for Nigerians.
Madu would have marked 25 years as a priest on July 7.
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