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Guayaquil priest dies after crucifix falls during livestreamed mass
Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a 53-year-old Redemptorist priest, died on Saturday after a large wooden crucifix detached from a wall and struck him during a mass in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The incident occurred at the Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro church and was captured on a Facebook livestream.
The accident happened approximately 27 minutes into the ceremony. Witnesses reported that the priest was standing near the altar when the heavy structure fell, striking him in the head. Parishioners immediately attempted to provide aid and called for an ambulance. While some reports indicate he was transported to a medical center, others suggest he died at the scene.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the death in a statement signed by Cardinal Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, expressing condolences to the Redemptorist Congregation and the priest's family. Investigations are expected to determine whether the accident was caused by structural failure or improper installation of the crucifix. Legal experts noted that the case could lead to civil or criminal inquiries regarding negligence.
Entities
Archdiocese of Guayaquil · Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer · Ecuador · Guayaquil · Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera · Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church · Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari · Perpetuo Socorro church · Redemptorist Congregation