US Deports Nigerian Catholic Priest, Who Later Passes Away, Due to Lapsed Visa

Nigerian Catholic priest Rev. Benjamin Madu, whose religious worker visa was set to expire, has passed away in Massachusetts, according to church officials.

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Madu, a member of the Diocese of Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, died on Thursday, following several years of service as a hospital chaplain and parish priest in Massachusetts.

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Father Jim Achadinha, pastor of the Catholic communities of Gloucester and Rockport, announced Madu's death, describing it as a "devastating loss" and highlighting the priest's joyful, kind, and generous spirit.

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Achadinha noted that Madu had served Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish with dedication and compassion, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

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Authorities have not disclosed the cause of Madu's death, but a spokesperson for the Essex County District Attorney's Office stated that foul play is not suspected.

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An autopsy is expected to be performed as officials work to contact Madu's relatives in Nigeria to inform them of his passing.

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A person familiar with the matter reported that the priest died by suicide, according to information obtained.

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Archbishop Richard Henning of the Archdiocese of Boston offered condolences to those mourning Madu, 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".

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Madu had been serving 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.

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Tuesday would have marked the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood at St. Theresa Cathedral in Abakaliki, a significant milestone in his career.

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Madu's R-1 religious worker visa was set to expire on July 29, and he had been due to return to Nigeria this month, as instructed by his home diocese, which had initially planned for his return later in the month.

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Under U.S. immigration regulations, Madu was required to leave the country before applying to renew his visa, a circumstance that had deeply saddened his parishioners.

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Many parishioners had come to regard Madu as "Father Ben" and praised his ministry to patients, families, and the local community, making his planned departure a difficult one.

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In a farewell message published on the parish website last month, Madu expressed his disappointment at having to leave the United States, writing "Sincerely, it is not my wish to return home right now, but circumstances beyond my control have warranted that my time in the United States come to an end.

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Madu's message continued, "My heart is broken, yet my joy remains," as he assured parishioners that he hoped to return one day to continue his ministry and reunite with the community he loved.

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The Diocese of Abakaliki has not yet issued a public statement on Madu's death, as news of his passing continues to be processed by the community.