Worshippers pay tribute to priest crushed to death by falling wooden crucifix in the middle of church service

Worshippers pay tribute to priest crushed to death by falling wooden crucifix in the middle of church service Father Patricio Sanchez Molinari died after a giant cross somehow came loose and crushed him while he was delivering a mass sermon that was being livestreamed Family, friends and worshipers have gathered for the wake of a priest who was crushed to death by a falling crucifix as he live-streamed his mass sermon. Father Patricio Sanchez Molinari died on Saturday when the giant wooden cross came loose from the altar and fell on his head. Tragically, the moment of his death was being recorded and went out to viewers online. The large wooden crucifix was mounted on a wall behind Father Molinari, which suddenly detached and fell on the priest. Father Molinari collapsed instantly with stunned onlookers being heard screaming off screen after witnessing the cross make contact with his head. Those who knew the father have since gathered at La Paz chapel in the Santa Ana cemetery in Cuenca, about 121 miles south east of the Ecuadorian capital Guayaquil. Father Molinari's funeral is due to be held at 3pm local time today. His coffin arrived at the cemetery on Monday and was taken to the chapel at 3pm. Father Molinari was remembered as a "kind priest" by mourner Eva Ayora, 73, reports Ecuadorian outlet El Universo. Leon Castillo, a relative of the priest, was present at the wake and said he met Father Molinari when he was between 12 and 13-year-old. "An exemplary child," he said. He added the late priest had helped his father in a ceramics factory while a teenager and kept a close relationship with his family. Leon said those family values influenced his pathway to join the priesthood. The family estimates Father Molinari dedicated about 25 years to the priesthood. On Saturday, 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 the livestream. "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 following the priest's death. "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."