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A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died following a fatal accident during a church service, after a massive wooden cross mounted behind the altar fell on him while he was leading worship.
The priest, Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, was conducting Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Guayaquil on Saturday, October 17, when the incident occurred. The service was being streamed online, allowing viewers to witness the tragic development as it unfolded.
Reports indicate that the clergyman was facing the congregation when the heavy religious structure suddenly detached from the wall and struck him on the back of the head. He reportedly had no opportunity to react before the object came crashing down.
The accident immediately disrupted the service, with worshippers shouting in distress and rushing towards the altar to assist the priest. Calls for an ambulance were heard during the broadcast before the livestream was eventually taken down.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil announced his death on Sunday, expressing grief over the loss and offering prayers for his soul. The church authority also extended its sympathy to his family, friends and fellow members of the Catholic community.
Father Sánchez Molinari belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, popularly known as the Redemptorists. The Catholic religious order, founded in 1732, carries out missionary and pastoral activities in communities across several countries.
Meanwhile, the precise reason the cross fell from its mounting remains unknown. Local authorities had not publicly explained the circumstances surrounding the accident as of the latest reports.
