A Nigerian Catholic priest serving in the United States has died by suicide after being directed to return to Nigeria following the expiration of his religious worker visa.
Rev. Benjamin Okwy Madu, 54, died on July 2 at his residence in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, where he had served as a hospital chaplain and parish priest since 2021. His R-1 religious worker visa was due to expire on July 29, while his home Diocese of Abakaliki reportedly instructed him to return to Nigeria ahead of a new assignment scheduled for August 4.
According to reports, Fr. Madu had repeatedly expressed fear about returning to Nigeria, citing security concerns and the growing attacks on Catholic clergy. In a farewell message to his parish, he said leaving the United States was not his choice but was caused by circumstances beyond his control.
Days before his death, the priest reportedly suffered a panic attack while driving to celebrate Mass and was treated at a hospital. Boston Archbishop Richard Henning later informed fellow priests that Fr. Madu had taken his own life, although the Archdiocese's public statement did not specify the cause of death.
Authorities in Massachusetts said the case remains under investigation, but there is no indication of foul play.
A coalition of Nigerian diaspora and Christian advocacy groups said the priest experienced severe emotional distress over the prospect of returning to Nigeria, where kidnappings and killings of Catholic clergy have become increasingly common. The group also linked his situation to current US immigration restrictions that prevented the extension of his visa.
The coalition has called on the United States government to suspend deportations of Nigerians and consider granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to eligible Nigerian nationals already living in the country.
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