A Nigerian Catholic priest of the Diocese of Abakaliki, Rev. Benjamin Madu, has died in the United States just days before he was due to return to Nigeria following the expiration of his religious worker visa.
Madu, who served as a hospital chaplain and parish priest in Massachusetts, died on Thursday, according to church authorities.
Officials have yet to announce the cause of his death.
The pastor of the Catholic communities of Gloucester and Rockport, Fr. Jim Achadinha, described the incident as a huge loss, saying Madu dedicated himself to serving Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish with joy, kindness and generosity.
The Essex County District Attorney's Office said there was no indication of foul play.
An autopsy is expected to determine the cause of death, while efforts are ongoing to reach his family in Nigeria.
However, NBC News reported that a source familiar with the matter said the priest died by suicide.
Archbishop Richard Henning of the Archdiocese of Boston expressed sympathy to the late cleric's family, fellow priests and parishioners, noting that Madu had touched many lives through his ministry in Cape Ann and at Salem Hospital.
Madu had worked mainly as a chaplain at Salem Hospital since 2021 and also ministered at St. Ann's, Our Lady of Good Voyage in Gloucester and St. Joachim's in Rockport.
He was expected to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination next Tuesday.
The priest had been scheduled to return to Nigeria this month after his R-1 religious worker visa was set to expire on July 29.
Church officials said his home diocese directed him to return earlier in July, in line with United States immigration rules requiring him to leave the country before seeking a visa renewal.
His planned departure had saddened many parishioners who affectionately called him "Father Ben."
In a farewell message published on the parish's website last month, Madu said leaving the United States was not his desire but was beyond his control, adding that although his heart was broken, he remained hopeful of returning one day to continue his ministry.
The Diocese of Abakaliki had yet to issue an official statement on his death as of the time of filing this report.
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