A Catholic priest from Nigeria who killed himself in Massachusetts earlier this month was distraught over being unable to extend his stay in the United States and the recent death of the bishop of his home diocese, people who knew the priest told the Register.
The priest’s death has raised questions over what role the Trump administration’s visa restrictions may have played in the tragedy and over why he was so afraid to return to Nigeria.
Father Benjamin Madu, 54, who had served as a hospital chaplain and a weekend Mass celebrant for a parish collective on Cape Ann, died July 2, according to the Archdiocese of Boston, where he had ministered for the past five years.
Authorities had not released a cause of death as of Monday. But an email message an archdiocesan official sent priests 10 days ago on behalf of Archbishop Richard Henning and seen by the Register said the priest “tragically took his own life.”
A spokesman for the Essex County District Attorney’s Office told the Register the death is under investigation.
The priest’s visa allowing him to stay in the United States was due to expire on July 29, and the Diocese of Abakaliki leadership
