Nigerian Catholic Priest Dies by Suicide in U.S. After Visa Expiry, Expresses Fear of Returning Home

Nigerian Catholic Priest Dies by Suicide in the U.S. After Expressing Distress Over Imminent Return to Nigeria

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The Catholic community in both Nigeria and the United States is mourning the tragic death of Reverend Father Benjamin Okwy Madu, a Nigerian priest who had been serving in Massachusetts since 2021.

Father Madu, a priest of the Diocese of Abakaliki, reportedly died by suicide on July 2, 2026, shortly before he was expected to return to Nigeria following the expiration of his R-1 religious worker visa. His passing has sparked conversations about immigration challenges, mental health, and the security concerns faced by some religious leaders in Nigeria.

Father Benjamin Madu had served as a hospital chaplain and parish priest in the Cape Ann and North Shore communities of Massachusetts for several years. During his ministry, he became well known for his compassion, dedication to pastoral care, and close relationship with parishioners, many of whom described him as a caring spiritual leader who made a lasting impact on their lives. His ministry extended beyond church services, offering emotional and spiritual support to patients, families, and members of the wider community.

According to reports, Father Madu’s R-1 religious worker visa was approaching its expiration, requiring him to return to Nigeria. In a farewell message shared before his death, he expressed sadness about leaving the community he had come to regard as a second home. He wrote that although returning to Nigeria was not his wish at that time, circumstances beyond his control meant his time in the United States was coming to an end.

He also reflected warmly on the friendships he had built, the parish community he served, and the peaceful seaside locations where he often spent time after celebrating Mass.

Reports indicate that Father Madu had expressed concerns about returning to Nigeria, where some Catholic clergy have faced security threats in recent years, including kidnappings and violent attacks in certain parts of the country. These concerns have been widely discussed following his death, although authorities have not officially concluded that they were the sole reason for his actions.

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Boston Archbishop Richard G. Henning informed fellow clergy of Father Madu’s death and expressed deep sorrow over the loss.

Local law enforcement authorities and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office investigated the incident and stated that there