A North Shore priest’s sad farewell upon return to Nigeria

The parishioners also learned that Madu had missed Mass the previous Sunday because he suffered a panic attack while driving to the church. He was treated in a hospital emergency room, said Tom Paradis, a lifelong parishioner at St. Joachim.

“He’s afraid to go back to his country on a full-time basis. He’s afraid he’ll be persecuted,” Paradis said.

Madu could not be reached for an interview. In addition to St. Joachim, he has assisted at St. Ann’s and Our Lady of Good Voyage churches in Gloucester at a time when Catholic parishes continue to deal with a chronic shortage of priests.

Many priests in Nigeria have been kidnapped in recent years — at rectories, traveling to Mass, or working in remote communities — often by armed bandits or extremist groups in search of lucrative ransoms. Most of these priests eventually are released, but dozens have been murdered or died from trauma during captivity.

Madu’s temporary visa, called an R-1 and granted to religious workers, expires after a maximum of five years, when holders must leave the United States and reapply for admission. The State Department referred a Globe inquiry about Madu’s case to a US Citizenship and Immigration Services website about how to extend a visa.

As Madu prepares to return home, which his bishop has requested, many parishioners and lawmakers question whether the State Department would approve a visa renewal for a priest from Nigeria, where US immigrant visas have been suspended.

“This is part of a broader trend of priests in the area whose immigration statuses are at risk due to the dangerous and inhumane policies of this administration,” said US Representative Seth Moulton, a Salem Democrat.

Visa renewals for religious workers from Nigeria were paused during a broader, unilateral suspension of immigration applications from 39 countries by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, according to a person familiar with federal immigration policy, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the subject.

On June 5, US District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. of Rhode Island ruled that the suspension is unlawful, and the Trump administration has appealed.

In the meantime, US Representative Richard Neal, a Springfield Democrat, has been working to ease visa requirements for priests and religious workers. Neal has co-sponsored the bipartisan Religious Workforce Protection Act, which would allow the federal government to extend R-1 visas beyond the standard five-year limit while permanent residency applications are pending.

Overall, processing US visa applications in overseas embassies has become a grinding slog.

“The embassies are significantly backlogged,” said John Loscocco, an immigration attorney with the FitzGerald Law Company in Boston. “Everything is slow.”

The Rev. James Achadinha, pastor of the Rockport and Gloucester churches, declined to comment on Madu’s case.

However, parishioners who have come to know Madu over the last several years said his departure will leave a void in their spiritual lives.

“He’s been a steady, compassionate presence and has become deeply loved by everyone here,” said Paul Murphy, a St. Joachim parishioner and chair of the Rockport Select Board.

“Beyond the fact that he’s become part of our community, it’s genuinely dangerous for a Catholic priest in parts of Nigeria right now,” Murphy added. “The idea of him being forced back into that situation has people here beside themselves.”

In a letter to parishioners last weekend, Achadinha shared the news that Madu would be leaving.

“Our pastoral team, myself included, is devastated by the news that Father Ben must return to Nigeria because of strict religious visa requirements that seem to provide little support for much-needed missionary priests,” Achadinha wrote.

“At the same time, we are overwhelmed with love and gratitude for Father Ben and his ministry among us,” he added. “We join the staff and patients at Salem Hospital, where Father Ben serves as priest-chaplain, in giving thanks for this holy priest and his good work.”

The Archdiocese of Boston also expressed disappointment.

“Unfortunately, there is no path to extending his visa again, given the US government’s current policy regarding such programs that include Nigeria,” said Terrence Donilon, the archdiocesan spokesman.

George Lieser, another longtime parishioner at St. Joachim, described Madu as a warm and appealing prelate.

“He often would begin a sermon with a short, powerful song,” Lieser said. “It had a feel of a revival, like Southern Baptist, that we don’t get here in New England.”

Paradis echoed Lieser’s appreciation for Madu’s style and ability to connect.

“You can tell when you listen to him,” Paradis said. “He’s humble, he’s compassionate, and he’s extremely dedicated to his calling. You can hear it in his voice. You can see it in his eyes.”

After Madu’s announcement, Lieser joined a small group of parishioners who spoke with the priest after Mass.

“He just did not want to go into details,” Lieser said. “I could tell he was afraid. He was afraid of something.”

Salem Hospital officials praised Nadu’s work.

“Father Ben Nadu has been a valued spiritual partner for the Salem Hospital community for five years,” said Kelly Mitchell, a hospital spokesperson. “We are grateful to the care he has provided patients and families during difficult days, providing sacramental care for our Catholic patients and holding Mass.”

Another hospital staff member, who asked not to be identified, called Madu “a conscientious, hard-working guy. People have come to rely on him and see him at Mass weekly.”

“I’m very sad,” the staff member said. “We don’t know about a replacement.”

In addition to celebrating Mass at the hospital, Madu performed last rites for the dying and served Communion for the faithful.

“He was torn up. He’s really invested in this place,” the person said. “It is a role that he did well. In the chaplaincy, you see sick people in need. You can’t fix everybody’s problems, but you can listen.”

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Brian MacQuarrie can be reached at brian.macquarrie@globe.com.