Beloved Nigerian Priest Dies Suddenly Following Deportation Crisis

​GLOUCESTER, Mass. — The Catholic communities of Gloucester and Rockport are in deep mourning following the unexpected death of Reverend Benjamin Okwy Madu, a cherished priest who had recently prepared his congregation for his impending departure from the United States.

​Father Ben, 54, passed away suddenly on the evening of Thursday, July 2, 2026. His death comes as a profound shock to parishioners at Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish, where he had served with distinction for over four years.

​In the days leading up to his passing, Father Ben had shared a poignant farewell message with his community, expressing his heartbreak over an order to return to his native Nigeria. His U.S. visa was set to expire later this month, and he had been instructed by his Bishop in the Diocese of Abakaliki to return home ahead of that deadline.

​”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,” Father Ben wrote in a final message to his parishioners. “My heart is broken, yet my joy remains. I will miss the home I found away from home.”

​Father Ben’s ministry extended well beyond the pulpit; he was a familiar and comforting presence as a chaplain at Salem Hospital. He had served the priesthood for nearly 25 years and was approaching his 25th anniversary of ordination, which would have fallen on July 7.

​Archbishop Richard G. Henning issued a statement offering prayers for the late priest’s family, his fellow clergy, and the many lives he touched. “We now entrust Father Madu to the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father and we ask the Lord to bring comfort and healing to all who mourn his passing,” the Archbishop said.

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​As the community grapples with the loss, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport held a special memorial Mass on Saturday, July 4, at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church.

​While the circumstances of his death remain under investigation, parish leadership has asked for patience and privacy. In a statement released Sunday, the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport noted that local authorities and the county medical examiner have not yet released a cause of death. Pastor Rev. James M. Achadinha encouraged parishioners to focus on prayer and reflection rather than speculation as the community processes this tragic loss.