Priest is killed when crucifix falls on him as he served mass in a Guayaquil church

A Catholic priest died Saturday in Guayaquil when a large crucifix fell on him as he was leading mass in Guayaquil. The service was being livestreamed at the time of the accident.

A video image captures the moment when a large crucifix detaches from the wall at Iglesia Perpetuo Socorro in Guayaquil. Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez was struck in the head by the falling crucifix and died instantly.

Video footage shared on social media shows Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez, a native of Cuenca, addressing his congregation at Iglesia Perpetuo Socorro in south-central Guayaquil seconds before he was struck. First responders reported that the priest was hit in the back of the head and probably died instantly.

Moments before he died, Sánchez preached about the fleeting nature of life and the importance of faith and family. “We will all die someday and we must be prepared,” he told the congregation.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed that Sánchez had died as a result of the accident. “We announce that our beloved Fr. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who served as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in the Central Vicariate, has departed for the Father’s House to rejoice in His presence and glory. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.”

The Archdiocese said it would carry out an investigation of the accident to determine why the cross, weighing an estimated 200 kilos, detached from the wall. A spokesman for the Guayaquil Fire Department said the municipality would conduct a separate investigation.

The church said that Sánchez’s body would be returned to Cuenca for burial.