Moments after preaching about life’s fleeting nature and the importance of faith and family, a Roman Catholic priest in Ecuador was killed when a heavy crucifix fell on his head during a livestreamed Mass.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari died on Saturday at the Church of Perpetual Relief in Guayaquil, a coastal city in southwestern Ecuador, around 265 km from the capital, Quito. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil identified him as the parish priest of the church.
According to footage reviewed by NBC News and described by The Independent, the large crucifix mounted on the wall behind the altar suddenly detached and fell forward, striking the back of the priest’s head. Sánchez was facing the congregation and appeared not to notice the crucifix falling behind him.
The livestream captured worshippers rushing to help as cries for assistance were heard. “Father, Father! Call an ambulance!” people could be heard shouting, according to The Independent. The broadcast continued briefly before cutting out. The video was subsequently taken down.
Emergency services were called to the scene, but first responders were unable to revive the priest.
Local authorities had not publicly commented on the incident in the reports available.
Priest reflected on life before the accident
The New York Post reported that during his sermon, he urged worshippers not to spend their lives scrolling on their phones, but to devote time to God and their loved ones.
“One day, all of us here will also die, and sometimes the time we’ve spent on things doesn’t have as much meaning as the time we spend with God,” he said.
He also spoke about the importance of relationships and faith, adding, “The quality time we give to God, to our brothers and sisters, to our husbands, wives, children, and family— that time is the best spent."
The priest was beginning another prayer and asking God to bless the congregation when the crucifix fell, the newspaper reported.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil announced Sánchez’s death in a statement, saying he “has left to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory”.
Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with a presence in 80 countries.