.jpg)
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was delivering a sermon about the fragility of life at his church in the city of Guayaquil when the wall-mounted cross came loose and struck him.
Emergency services attended the scene, but the parish priest was pronounced dead.
Video footage showed worshippers rushing towards the altar and calling for assistance after Father Sánchez Molinari was struck on his head.
“Father, Father… call an ambulance,” a member of the congregation could be heard shouting. The livestream was subsequently cut off.
The incident took place at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic church on Saturday, about half an hour into Father Sánchez Molinari’s homily. He told worshippers to prioritise their spirituality over distractions such as mobile phones.
He said: “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. 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.”
Father Sánchez Molinari asked God to bless the congregation and had started another prayer when the large crucifix fell off the wall behind him.
‘Departed to the Father’s House’
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest’s death in a statement, saying: “We announce that our beloved Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who served as parish priest of the Perpetual Help church in the Central Vicariate, has departed to the Father’s House to enjoy His presence and His glory.”
The statement also included a prayer for his eternal rest. Father Sánchez Molinari belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists.