A Catholic priest was killed when a large wooden crucifix fell from a wall and struck him during a livestreamed Mass in Guayaquil on Saturday.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil identified the priest as Rev. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 53, parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, known locally as Perpetuo Socorro.
The incident occurred Oct. 17 and was captured on a Facebook livestream that had more than 4,600 followers. Footage reviewed by multiple outlets shows Sánchez facing the congregation from the altar when the crucifix mounted behind him detaches and falls onto the back of his head. He collapses and does not get up.
“Father, Father! Call an ambulance!” parishioners can be heard shouting before the broadcast cuts out.
The archdiocese confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday, saying he “has departed to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory.” A memorial Mass led by Cardinal Luis Cabrera was held on Sunday.
Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists, a Roman Catholic order founded in 1732 with presence in more than 80 countries. Before Guayaquil, he served as parish priest in Vinces, Los Ríos province.
Moments before the accident, Sánchez had been preaching on the fleeting nature of life.
“Dear brothers and sisters, one day all of us who are here will also die,” he said in Spanish during his homily. “Sometimes the time we have spent on things does not have the meaning of the time we spend with God.”
Local authorities have not commented on what caused the crucifix to fall. His remains have been transferred to Cuenca for burial at Santa Ana Cemetery, the archdiocese said.