A 54-year-old Nigerian Catholic priest, Benjamin Okwy Madu, has died in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, days after being instructed to return to Nigeria ahead of a new assignment.
According to the Archdiocese of Boston, where he had served since 2021 as a hospital chaplain and parish priest, Madu passed away on July 2. His religious worker visa was set to expire later in the month, and his home diocese in Abakaliki had directed him to return for reassignment beginning August 4.
Reports indicate that he had expressed reluctance to go back, citing concerns for his safety. In a farewell message to parishioners, he reportedly said his departure was not by choice but due to circumstances beyond his control.
Days before his death, he is said to have experienced a panic attack while on his way to celebrate Mass and received treatment at a hospital emergency room. Boston Archbishop Richard Henning later informed clergy that the priest died by suicide, though the Archdiocese’s public statement did not specify the cause.
A US–Nigeria civil society coalition has linked the situation to broader concerns, including emotional distress tied to security fears in parts of Nigeria and challenges surrounding visa renewals. The group has called on US authorities to reconsider deportations and explore protective measures for Nigerian nationals.
This incident has sparked conversations around immigration pressures, mental health, and the safety concerns faced by clergy and citizens alike.
