World News
The victim is Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, parish priest of the Perpetuo Socorro church
AUSTIN CALDWELL
Updated
Tragedy in Guayaquil within the Catholic Church. Parish priest Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, of the Perpetuo Socorro Church and a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, died this Saturday after a large cross bearing the figure of Jesus Christ crucified fell on his head.
Priest dies tragically after a cross falls on him during Mass in EcuadorX
The incident occurred in the middle of Mass, before the faithful gathered in the church and those tuning in via streaming to follow the celebration over the Internet, and caused enormous shock among the Christian community of the Ecuadorian city.
"We announce that our beloved Fr. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, CSsR., who served as parish priest of the Perpetual Help church in the Central Vicariate, has departed to the Father's House to enjoy His presence and His glory," the Church states in a communiqué.
In the video circulating on social media, one of the female faithful can be heard shouting desperately after the terrible blow: "Father, Father... call an ambulance!" However, the medical services could do nothing to save his life.