Priest dies after giant crucifix crushes him during mass

Priest dies after giant crucifix crushes him during mass There were audible gasps after the large wooden cross fell onto Father Sánchez Molinari as he gave a sermon inside the church - the archdiocese later confirmed he died A priest has died after a giant crucifix fell onto his head during a livestreamed mass. Father Sánchez Molinari was crushed to death when the giant cross was fell while he delivered a sermon in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Saturday. Tragically, the incident was being recorded and went out to those watching online. The large wooden cross mounted on the wall behind Father Molinari somehow detached and swiftly fell on him. Father Molinari collapsed onto the floor the instant the cross made contact with his head. There were audible gasps as it dawned on those present that the priest had been seriously injured. "Father, father...call an ambulance," one female member of the congregation was heard screaming. Others present were also heard screaming as the video continued to be sent out via a livestream. It is unclear what caused the crucifix to fall from the wall. "We inform you that our brother, Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who served as parish priest of the Perpetual Help Church, central vicariate, has departed to the House of the Father to enjoy His presence and His glory," said Cardinal Archbishop Luis Cabrera Herrera. "The Archdiocese of Guayaquil joins in prayer for the eternal rest of his soul and expresses its solidarity, affection, and love to the Redemptorist family, his relatives, and friends. May he rest in peace." The San Lorenzo parish in Vinces in the region of Los Rios, also paid respect to the late priest. A message posted on social media said: "With hope placed in God’s love and mercy, we share the news of the passing of Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari, who served with dedication and pastoral love for several years as parish priest of our Vinces community." Father Molinari was a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, founded in 1732. His duties included carrying out pastoral and missionary work in the area, reports La Prensa Grafica. According to local outlets, the Archdiocese of Guayaquil lost two priests last year. Alfonso Aviles and Pedro Anzoategui both drowned while attempting to rescue an altar boy.