Catholic Priest Dies After Crucifix Falls During Livestreamed Mass
A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after a large wooden crucifix fell from the wall behind the altar and struck him while he was celebrating Mass, a tragedy that was captured on a livestream of the service.
The Rev. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari died Saturday, Oct. 17, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, after a large crucifix fell during the evening service. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death in a statement shared on Facebook.
What Happened During the Mass
Sánchez was standing behind the altar facing his congregation when the crucifix, which hung on the wall behind him, came loose and fell forward. Because he was facing the pews, he did not see it coming.
The Mass was being streamed live on social media, and the broadcast continued as parishioners cried out for help and rushed toward the priest. Despite efforts to assist him, he did not survive.
The livestream was later taken down, though the video was later removed only after clips had already begun circulating online and on Ecuadorian news outlets.
According to CNN affiliate Ecuavisa, Sánchez was preparing to officiate a wedding ceremony when the accident happened. Other reports describe the service simply as an evening Mass.
Who Was Father Patricio Sánchez?
Sánchez served as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help church. He was a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Catholic Redemptorist order founded in 1732 that has a presence in about 80 countries.
In its statement, the archdiocese expressed its solidarity with the Redemptorist community and with those close to Sánchez, and asked the faithful to pray for him. The archdiocese said he had departed to the house of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory.
A Community in Mourning
Grieving parishioners gathered at the church on Sunday evening for a memorial Mass in his honor. The service was led by Cardinal Luis Cabrera, the archbishop of Guayaquil.
The loss has shaken the parish, where Sánchez had served as pastor and was a familiar presence at the altar each week.
Questions Remain About the Cause
It is still not clear what caused the crucifix to come loose from the wall. Church officials have not publicly explained how it was mounted or whether there were any earlier signs of a problem.
Guayaquil, a port city of more than 2 million people, sits about 165 miles southwest of the capital, Quito. The tragedy has drawn attention well beyond Ecuador, as video of the incident spread across social media and international news outlets over the weekend.
For now, the parish community is focused on mourning a pastor whose final moments came while he was doing what he had dedicated his life to: leading his congregation in prayer.
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