Falling Statue of Jesus Kills Catholic Priest
A priest in Ecuador died Saturday after a crucifix fell on him during a livestreamed Mass, according to church officials and video of the incident.
The Rev. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari died Saturday, the Archdiocese of Guayaquil announced.
He was the parish priest at the Church of Perpetual Relief of the Central Vicariate, the archdiocese said.
Molinari “has left to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory,” it said in a news release.
The heavy wooden crucifix mounted on the wall behind the altar unexpectedly fell forward, striking the back of his head while he faced the congregation.
Emergency services were called, but he did not survive.
Authorities and church officials are reviewing the structural integrity and mounting fixtures of the crucifix, and no foul play is suspected.
The Mass was livestreamed, but the video was taken down.
The video, reviewed by NBC News, showed a large crucifix hanging on a wall behind Molinari suddenly falling forward onto the back of his head.
Molinari was behind the altar, facing the congregation, and did not see the crucifix falling behind him.
Molinari did not stand back up, and parishioners are heard on the video shrieking and crying. Some rush to tend to him.
A Eucharist in his memory was scheduled for Sunday evening.
