WorldGuayaquil, Ecuador · Americas
Cross Falls on Priest: Parish Priest Dies During Mass in Ecuador
In Guayaquil, a heavy wooden cross came loose from the wall during a livestreamed service. The Archdiocese confirmed the priest's death.
By Marcel
Automatically translated from German · may contain errors · Read the original
In the Ecuadorian port city of Guayaquil, a Catholic priest has died during Mass after a large wooden cross fell on him. The accident happened on Saturday, October 17, at the Church of Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro and was streamed live online.
The deceased is Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who led the church in the Vicaría Centro district. He was celebrating the daily Mass and, as he did regularly, streamed it himself via his social media profile.
Cross came loose from the wall behind the altar
About 27 minutes into the broadcast, the heavy cross with the figure of the crucified Jesus came loose from the wall behind the altar. It fell forward and struck the priest on the head.
In the recording, worshippers can be heard calling for the priest and for an ambulance. Those present tried to help, but medical assistance arrived too late. Sánchez succumbed to his injuries.
The cause of the cross's fall is still unclear. On social media, many users expressed dismay, while some criticized the sharing of the video as inappropriate.
Archdiocese confirms the death
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the death the same day in a statement on behalf of Cardinal-Archbishop Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera. It said the priest had gone home to the Father's house to rejoice in his presence and glory.
The statement was limited to news of the death and closed with a Latin prayer for the dead.
Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, known as the Redemptorists. The Catholic religious order was founded in 1732 by Alphonsus Liguori.