A Catholic priest, Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari, has died after a large wooden cross fell on him while he was celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador. According to the Associated Press and Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo, the incident occurred on Saturday during a church…...
A Catholic priest, Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari, has died after a large wooden cross fell on him while he was celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
According to the Associated Press and Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo, the incident occurred on Saturday during a church service being livestreamed on social media.
Sánchez Molinari was at the altar when the cross hanging behind him became detached from the wall and struck him on the head.
The Associated Press reported that footage of the service showed “a heavy crucifix detaching from the wall above the altar and striking Sánchez on the head as he celebrated Mass.”
According to the report, the priest did not appear to notice the cross falling, while worshippers cried for help as the livestream continued.
In a report published on Sunday, El Universo said, “Un sacerdote murió tras la caída de una enorme cruz de madera sobre su cabeza” — meaning a priest died after a huge wooden cross fell on his head.
The newspaper reported that the cross became detached while Sánchez Molinari was celebrating Mass and praying beneath it.
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Worshippers reportedly rushed to assist the priest and desperately called for an ambulance. The incident was captured on video because the service was being transmitted on social media.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest’s death, identifying him as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order.
The Associated Press reported that the congregation was founded in 1732 and has a presence in 80 countries.
El Universo also reported that the Archdiocese expressed solidarity and condolences to the Redemptorist community, as well as the priest’s family and friends.
Sánchez Molinari had previously served for several years at San Lorenzo de Vinces parish, according to El Universo, which reported that the parish also mourned his death.
The circumstances surrounding the cross’s detachment had not been officially established in the reports available at the time of publication.
The Associated Press reported that local authorities had not commented on the incident.