A routine church service in Ecuador turned deadly when a wooden crucifix came crashing down onto the priest leading the Mass. The incident was captured on camera as the service was broadcast live on social media.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil when the accident occurred. About 27 minutes in, the large cross behind the altar detached from the wall and hit the priest in the head.
Sánchez Molinari fell immediately. People inside the church hurried toward him as the livestream continued, capturing the moments after the impact. He later died from his injuries.
The footage has since spread across social media, bringing attention to the tragic incident.
A tragedy that shook the community
News of Sánchez Molinari’s death was confirmed by the Archdiocese of Guayaquil in a post published on Instagram Sunday.
“We announce that our beloved Fr Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari has passed away,” the statement read, according to VT.
The message also included a prayer for the priest.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”
Sánchez Molinari served at Perpetuo Socorro Church within Guayaquil’s Central Vicariate. He was affiliated with the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Catholic religious order dating back to 1732 with a presence in 80 countries.
He frequently shared his services online through Facebook and YouTube.
Investigators have yet to explain the accident
The circumstances that caused the crucifix to fall remain unclear. Authorities have not released an explanation, and no account has been confirmed as to whether the mounting hardware failed, the wall was damaged, or the cross’s weight contributed to the incident.
Photographs from the scene show holes in the wall where the crucifix had been attached. However, those images do not establish precisely what went wrong.
Memorial services for Sánchez Molinari have been held at the church since Saturday, according to VT. At one point during the service, the priest cautioned against searching for a deeper religious meaning behind the circumstances of the fatal accident.
For now, the church’s public message has centered on remembering Sánchez Molinari and mourning his death while questions about the physical cause of the accident remain unanswered.