The Catholic community in the United States and Nigeria is mourning the tragic death of Rev. Fr. Benjamin Okwy Madu, a Nigerian Catholic priest who reportedly died by suic!de in Massachusetts at the age of 54.
Fr. Madu, a priest of the Diocese of Abakaliki in Nigeria, had been serving as a hospital chaplain at Salem Hospital and ministering to Catholic faithful in Gloucester and Rockport, Massachusetts. His death came just days after he bid an emotional farewell to his parishioners.
According to church officials, Fr. Madu’s U.S. religious worker visa was due to expire this month, and he had been instructed to return to his home diocese in Nigeria. In a heartfelt farewell message, he revealed that leaving the United States was not what he wanted.
“It is not my wish to return home right now… My heart is broken, yet my joy remains,” he wrote.
His sudden death has left parishioners, fellow priests and church leaders in shock. The Archdiocese of Boston described the news as a tragic loss and extended its condolences to his family, friends and the communities he faithfully served in both the United States and Nigeria.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, while church leaders have called on the faithful to keep Fr. Madu, his loved ones and all those affected by the tragedy in their prayers.
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