A Catholic priest was killed by a falling crucifix during a livestreamed Mass in Ecuador on Saturday.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil identified the priest as Patricio Sánchez Molinari of Perpetuo Socorro Church, as the Associated Press reported.
Footage of the livestreamed service has circulated on social media. The video shows a large crucifix falling from the wall behind the altar and striking Sánchez Molinari on the head as he celebrated Mass.
Members of the congregation can be heard screaming and crying for help in the footage.
Before the accident, Sánchez Molinari urged worshippers to spend time with God and their loved ones rather than waste it scrolling on their phones, the New York Post reported.
“One day, all of us here will also die, and sometimes the time we’ve spent on things doesn’t have as much meaning as the time we spend with God,” he said in his homily, per the Post. “The quality time we give to God, to our brothers and sisters, to our husbands, wives, children, and family— that time is the best spent,” Sánchez Molinari added.
The priest began saying another prayer when the crucifix suddenly fell. Sánchez Molinari was declared dead that same day after first responders arrived at the scene, the outlet reported
Police are investigating what caused the crucifix to fall, and church officials have not publicly offered an explanation.
The archdiocese released a statement mourning his death.
“Our beloved Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari … has departed to the Father’s House to enjoy His presence and His glory,” the archdiocese wrote in Spanish.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen,” the statement concluded in Latin.
Sánchez Molinari belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with a presence in 80 countries.
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