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Ecuador Priest Killed by Falling Crucifix During Livestreamed Mass
· Confirmed
In Short: Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a 53-year-old Redemptorist priest, died when a large wooden crucifix fell on him during a Mass at the Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Oct. 17.
The incident was captured on a livestream of the service, which was broadcast on the priest's Facebook page with over 4,600 followers.
The crucifix, mounted on the wall behind the altar, detached and fell, striking Father Sánchez directly on the head.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil, located 265 kilometers southwest of the capital Quito, identified the priest as Patricio Sánchez of Perpetuo Socorro Church.
Father Sánchez, who belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with a presence in 80 countries, had previously served as pastor at San Lorenzo de Vinces Parish, 65 miles north of Guayaquil.
Footage from the service shows the crucifix detaching from the wall and striking Father Sánchez as he addressed worshippers.
The cause of the accident remains unclear, and local authorities have not commented on the incident.
The Redemptorist family and the Archdiocese of Guayaquil have organized a memorial Eucharist for Sunday evening to remember Father Sánchez and mourn his sudden death.
A post from the San Lorenzo de Vinces Parish read, “As the Redemptorist family, we join in prayer for the eternal rest of his soul and we ask the Lord to grant comfort to his family, his brother priests and all the faithful who cherish his legacy and memory with gratitude.”
Father Sánchez had just reminded worshippers that life is temporary and that the time given to them should be spent meaningfully when the crucifix fell, bringing his own life to a tragic end.
The livestream of the Mass and the recording of the incident went viral across the world, with the parish taking down the original video with sensitive content.
Father Sánchez’s last words, according to a transcript in the Guayaquil newspaper El Universo, were, “The quality time we dedicate to God, to our brothers and sisters, to our spouse, to our children, and to our family, that is time spent in the best possible way.”
The family of Father Sánchez has demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his sudden death.
Background
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a 53-year-old Redemptorist priest, died when a large wooden crucifix fell on him during a Mass at the Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Oct. 17.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a Catholic priest, died on Saturday when a large wooden crucifix fell from the wall behind the altar and struck him during a Mass at the Church of Perpetual Relief in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
What's confirmed
- (OSV News) — A priest in Ecuador was struck and killed by a falling crucifix while celebrating Mass, a tragedy captured during a livestream of the service on Oct. 17.
- The Catholic faithful are mourning the death at Mass of Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, parish priest of the Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
- Redemptorist Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 53, was standing behind the altar at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, when a large crucifix tipped forward and fell, striking the priest directly on the head.
- A Catholic community in Ecuador is mourning the death of a priest who was killed when a large crucifix fell on him during a livestreamed Mass.
- 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events A Roman Catholic priest celebrating an evening Mass in southwestern Ecuador has died after a crucifix fell on him during the livestreamed service.
- Photo: Archdiocese of Guayaquil CATHOLICS are mourning the death of Fr Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari, parish priest of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
- Related video: Man falls 120 feet into water at Glacier National Park Roman Catholic priest Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, of Perpetuo Socorro Church, was seen on video speaking to congregants when a heavy crucifix appeared to detach from the wall, striking the priest on the head.
- "has left to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory."
- Local authorities have not commented on the incident.
- Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with a presence in 80 countries.
- “The quality time we dedicate to God, to our brothers and sisters, to our spouse, to our children, and to our family, that is time spent in the best possible way.” Your source for jobs, books, retreats, and much more.
- “In our lives, sometimes we fail to give that time, that space, to God. … God should come first: before money, before work, and before the activities of our family and our home,” Father Sánchez said just minutes before being mortally wounded, according to a transcript in the Guayaquil newspaper El Universo.
What's still developing
- Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was leading Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil on Saturday, when roughly 27 minutes into the livestreamed service the large wooden cross mounted behind the altar suddenly came loose and fell onto him.
- The Catholic priest who was killed by a falling crucifix over the weekend in Ecuador had been giving a sermon about the fleeting nature of life just before the freak accident was caught live on camera.