A Nigerian Catholic priest, Rev. Benjamin Madu, who was preparing to return to Nigeria after the expiration of his United States religious worker visa, has died in Massachusetts.
Announcing his death, Father Jim Achadinha, pastor of the Catholic communities of Gloucester and Rockport, described it as a “devastating loss,” saying Madu served Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish with “true joy, kindness, and generosity.”
Authorities have not disclosed the cause of death, but a spokesperson for the Essex County District Attorney's Office said foul play is not suspected. An autopsy is expected to determine the cause of death while officials continue efforts to notify his family in Nigeria.
Archbishop Richard Henning of the Archdiocese of Boston also expressed condolences, saying, “Our prayers and heartfelt condolences to his family, brother priests and friends in Nigeria as well as the many people Fr. Benjamin Madu ministered to here in Cape Ann and at Salem Hospital.”
Rev. Madu had served primarily as a chaplain at Salem Hospital since 2021 while also ministering at St. Ann's and Our Lady of Good Voyage in Gloucester and St. Joachim's in Rockport.
He was scheduled to return to Nigeria later this month as his R-1 religious worker visa was due to expire on July 29. Tuesday would also have marked the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at St. Theresa Cathedral in Abakaliki.
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