GLOUCESTER, Mass. USA— The Catholic communities of Cape Ann and the wider North Shore are in deep mourning following the sudden and unexpected passing of the Reverend Father Benjamin Okwy Madu. Father Ben, as he was affectionately known to his parishioners, committed suicide on the evening of Thursday, July 2, 2026. He was 54 years old and hailed from Abor Enugu state.
The timing of his passing has added a profound layer of grief to the local community. Father Ben was scheduled to return to his homeland of Nigeria later this month due to strict religious visa regulations that cut his pastoral mission in the United States short. Tragically, he was also just days away from celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, which would have marked a major milestone on July 7.
A Heartfelt Farewell Cut Short
Only a week prior to his death, Father Ben published a poignant farewell message in the parish newsletter, expressing his deep sadness at being forced to leave the community he had come to love.
“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. “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.”
Father Ben joined the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport in April 2022, serving as an assistant priest at weekend liturgies across Holy Family Parish and Our Lady of Good Voyage Parish. He also served faithfully as a priest-chaplain at Salem Hospital, providing comfort to the sick and dying.Parishioners remembered him as a holy man who brought a constant, radiant smile and deeply moving, from-the-heart homilies to the pulpit every single week.
Church Leadership and Parishioners React
The Archdiocese of Boston and local parish leaders expressed absolute devastation over the loss.
“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,” said Archbishop Richard G. Henning in a statement. “We now entrust Fr. 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.”
Father Jim Achadinha, pastor of the Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport, shared the collective heartbreak of his congregation. “Our dear friend, Father Benjamin Okwy Madu, died suddenly… We are all heartbroken,” he stated, urging the community to unite in prayer for the late priest’s grieving family worldwide.
A special Holy Mass for the soul of Father Ben was celebrated on the morning of Saturday, July 4, 2026, at Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, where friends, neighbors, and grieving parishioners gathered to honor his life, legacy, and dedicated service.
ABT News will continue to provide updates on funeral arrangements and memorial funds as information is made available by the family and the Archdiocese.
By
This is really sad. Could he have been silently battling a mental health issue while bringing comfort to others? Only God knows. May God have mercy on him.
Indeed his mental health could have the reason. There is this irony of life that those who are often there for others are usually those that suffer most!
Mental health challenges are real!
This caption is very misleading. There’s no proof that he committed suicide to avoid being sent back to Nigeria. He could have been battling other unknown mental issues. So sad. May he rest in peace. Amen!
There is absolutely no justification for anyone to take his or her life. Wasn’t that exactly what Judas Iscariot did?
It’s totally unthinkable for a priest to take his life because of compulsion to return to Nigeria, his home country. This is a horror movie.
Native Americans will advise not to judge a man until you’ve walked at least a mile in his moccasins
You are absolutely correct!
Thanks for your comment Chinyere. What proof do you need please? Did you not read the article especially the priest’s farewell message where he gave a hint of the impending calamity? I suggest yo u read the news article again.
Yes, the news clearly stated that he gave a farewell message to his parishioners and the reading of that farewell message didn’t show someone who is completely devastated to have considered suicide. The news needs to make it even clear that he committed suicide because nothing in the article shows evidently that he committed suicide. Please get more facts about how the suicide happened, that is validated, to avoid legal concerns.
Perhaps you should channel your energy towards praying for the peaceful repose of Father Ben’s soul. Your comment is so insensitive to the bereaved and parishioners of Father Ben. Maybe you can use your legal concerns to bring him back to life. Thanks
My brother, even the Bible admonishes us not to rely on things we think we know. If there is no empirical fact to the caption, then the writer of this article is cheaply seeking undue validation. Al the same, may the soul of fr. Ben rest in the bossom of the Lord… Amen
ABTN News is false.
Fr. Benjamin Madu is my blood brother.
I am Joseph Chukwuemeka Eneh.
Fr. Ben Madu has no mental issues. He is very kind and shows love to mostly the poor, orphans and windows.
Many People in Enugu and Ebonyi states respectively, mostly from poor families are crying because no one will pay their school fees and other bills again.
Fr. Benjamin, I pray that you rest in peace with Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thanks for your contribution. However you shared your experience in Nigeria but you do not know the one in the US. Are you a medical doctor? And if yes, did you medically examine the late priest? If no then you probably do not have the correct facts and your words should not be taken so seriously. Once again thanks