By Daily Review Online
The Catholic communities of Cape Ann and the North Shore in the United States are mourning the death of Nigerian priest, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Okwy Madu, who died on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the age of 54.
Fr. Madu, who hailed from Abor in Enugu State, had been serving the Catholic Community of Gloucester and Rockport since April 2022. According to parish officials, he died by suicide, just weeks before he was due to return to Nigeria following the expiration of his religious visa.
His death came only days before the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination, which he would have celebrated on July 7.
In a farewell message published in the parish newsletter a week before his death, Fr. Madu expressed sadness over ending his ministry in the United States.
> “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. My heart is broken, yet my joy remains. I will miss the home I found away from home. I will deeply miss the seaside, where I often drive to after Mass to call my family and hear about their Sundays,” he wrote.
During his ministry, Fr. Madu served as an assistant priest at Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, while also ministering as a priest-chaplain at Salem Hospital, where he provided spiritual support to patients and their families.
Parishioners described him as a compassionate and dedicated priest whose warm smile and heartfelt homilies touched many lives.
In a statement, Archbishop Richard G. Henning of Boston extended condolences to the late priest’s family, fellow clergy and friends in Nigeria, as well as the faithful he served in Massachusetts.
“We extend 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. We now entrust Fr. Madu to the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father and ask the Lord to bring comfort and healing to all who mourn his passing,” the Archbishop said.
The pastor of the Catholic Community of Gloucester and Rockport, Fr. Jim Achadinha, also described the priest’s death as heartbreaking and called on parishioners to pray for his family.
A funeral Mass in his honour was celebrated on Saturday, July 4, at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, where parishioners, friends and community members gathered to pay tribute to his life and years of devoted priestly service.
If you or someone you know is struggling or expressing thoughts of suicide, reaching out to trusted family members, friends, faith leaders, or a qualified mental health professional can make a difference. Seeking support is an important step, and help is available.