By Samuel Olusegun Precious
US- Reverend Benjamin Okwy Madu, a Catholic Church Priest, has died in Massachusetts, of suspected suicide some days after being asked to return to Nigeria.
54-year-old Madu died on 2 July at home in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, according to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, where he served as a hospital chaplain and parish priest on Cape Ann since 2021.
His R-1 religious worker visa was due to expire on July 29. However, his home diocese in Abakaliki reportedly instructed him to return to Nigeria earlier, ahead of a new assignment scheduled for August 4.
A report by The Boston Globe indicates that the priest had expressed his unwillingness to return to Nigeria, citing fears for his safety. In his speech to parishioners and a farewell message published days before his death, he said leaving the United States was “not his wish,” but was due to circumstances beyond his control.
Boston Archbishop Richard Henning, in an internal email to clergy, was reported to have said that Madu “tragically took his own life.” However, the Archdiocese’s public statement did not specify the cause of death.
A parishioner also told the publication that the priest suffered a panic attack while driving to Mass days before his death and was treated at a hospital.
An investigation has been launched by the authorities into the incident. The office of Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker confirmed that the Massachusetts State Police is handling the case and added that no foul play is suspected.
Meanwhile, the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition said the priest experienced severe emotional distress linked to concerns about returning to Nigeria, where clergy have faced security threats, including kidnappings.
born on May 15, 1972, in Nigeria, Madu was ordained at St Theresa Cathedral in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. He would have marked his 25th anniversary in the priesthood on July 7, five days after his death.
