A Catholic priest, Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari, has died after a large wooden cross fell on him while he was celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
The incident occurred on Saturday, during a service that was being livestreamed on social media, according to the Associated Press and Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo on Sunday.
The priest was at the altar when the cross hanging behind him became detached and struck him on the head.
The Associated Press reported that footage of the service showed “a heavy crucifix detaching from the wall above the altar and striking Sánchez on the head as he celebrated Mass.”
According to the AP report, the priest did not appear to notice the cross falling, while worshippers cried for help as the broadcast continued.
In its report published on Sunday, El Universo said, “Un sacerdote murió tras la caída de una enorme cruz de madera sobre su cabeza” — meaning a priest died after a huge wooden cross fell on his head.
The newspaper reported that Sánchez Molinari was celebrating Mass when the cross suspended above the altar became detached during a prayer.
It added that worshippers tried to assist him and desperately called for an ambulance. The incident was recorded because the religious service was being transmitted on social media.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest’s death and identified him as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order.
The AP said the congregation was founded in 1732 and has a presence in 80 countries.
El Universo also reported that the Archdiocese expressed solidarity and condolences to the Redemptorist community, as well as the priest’s family and friends.
The priest had previously served for several years at San Lorenzo de Vinces parish, according to El Universo, which reported that the parish also mourned his death.
The circumstances that caused the cross to detach from the wall had not been officially established in the reports available at the time of publication.
The Associated Press reported that local authorities had not commented on the incident.
The death has drawn attention to the incident captured during the livestreamed Mass, with worshippers seen rushing to assist the priest after the cross fell.
