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Ecuador Priest Killed by Falling Crucifix During Mass
· Confirmed
In Short: Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a 53-year-old Redemptorist priest, was killed when a large wooden crucifix fell on him during a Mass at the Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on October 17.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a 53-year-old Redemptorist priest, was killed when a large wooden crucifix fell on him during a Mass at the Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on October 17, according to the Archdiocese of Guayaquil and multiple news outlets including Blueprint (Nigeria) and 7NEWS (Australia).
The incident was livestreamed on the priest's Facebook page, where he had over 4,600 followers, and the video showed the crucifix suddenly falling onto the back of Sánchez Molinari's head as he faced the congregation.
According to 7NEWS (Australia), the priest appeared unaware the cross was falling before he was struck and disappeared behind the altar. Meanwhile, Blueprint (Nigeria) reported that the crucifix fell from the wall behind the altar while Sánchez Molinari was standing at the pulpit.
Both outlets agree that the crucifix detached from the wall and struck the priest on the head, causing his death.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil later issued a statement on Facebook, confirming the priest's death on Saturday and saying he 'has left to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory,' as reported by 7NEWS (Australia) and Blueprint (Nigeria).
The incident occurred at the Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, on the evening of Saturday, October 17, according to People and WKRC.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed Sánchez Molinari's death Sunday in a statement to Instagram, mourning the loss of the parish priest and offering condolences to his loved ones and fellow members of the religious community, as reported by TMZ and Fox News.
The cause of the crucifix falling remains unclear, with church officials not providing a public explanation for the incident, as noted by the New York Post and TMZ.
The priest had been giving a sermon about the fleeting nature of life just before the accident was caught live on camera, according to the New York Post.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed Sánchez Molinari's death in a Facebook statement, identifying him as the parish priest of Perpetuo Socorro Church in its Central Vicariate, as reported by CBS News and ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos.
The service was being broadcast live online, and footage captured the shocking moment the crucifix toppled forward, striking the priest near the altar as he addressed worshippers, as reported by TMZ and The Independent (United Kingdom).
Worshippers cried for help as the social media broadcast continued, according to ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos and 7NEWS (Australia).
What this adds
The incident was captured on a livestream broadcast on the priest’s Facebook page, as reported by ColombiaOne.com and Blueprint (Nigeria).
The crucifix fell during Communion, as reported by Fox News and AOL.com.
The priest was previously the parish priest at San Lorenzo in Vinces, in Ecuador’s Los Ríos province, as reported by 700WLW and Fox News.
Background
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a 53-year-old Redemptorist priest, was killed when a large wooden crucifix fell on him during a Mass at the Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on October 17.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a 53-year-old Redemptorist priest, was killed when a large wooden crucifix fell on him during a Mass at the Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Oct. 17.
What's confirmed
- The Rev. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was leading services at the Church of Perpetual Relief in Guayaquil on Saturday (October 17) when the crucifix fell from the wall behind the altar and struck him, according to the Archdiocese of Guayaquil.
- In a tragic incident, a priest in Ecuador died after a large crucifix fell on him during a livestreamed Mass.
- He was standing at the altar, facing the congregation, and did not see the crucifix falling behind him.
- Before serving in Guayaquil, he was the parish priest at San Lorenzo in Vinces, in Ecuador’s Los Ríos province.
- The video of the incident, which was later taken down, showed the crucifix suddenly falling onto the back of Sánchez Molinari's head.
- The Archdiocese of Guayaquil, a coastal city 265km southwest of the capital Quito, identified the priest as Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari of Perpetuo Socorro Church.
- Footage of the service on Saturday night shows a heavy crucifix detaching from the wall above the altar and striking Sánchez on the head as he celebrated Mass.
- Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was standing at the altar of Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil on Saturday when the large wooden crucifix behind him suddenly fell forward and struck him.
- 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.
- The Archdiocese of Guayaquil later issued a statement on Facebook, confirming the priest's death on Saturday, saying he "has left to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory."
- 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.
- It remains unclear what caused the heavy crucifix to detach and fall from the wall, and church officials haven’t publicly provided an explanation for the incident.
What's still developing
- “Friends, what happened affects us all,” the follower said.
- "Rest in peace." It's not known at this time what caused the crucifix to fall.
- Authorities did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.