FALLING GIANT CRUCIFIX KILLS PRIEST DURING LIVESTREAMED MASS IN ECUADOR

A CATHOLIC priest died when a giant wooden crucifix fell from the wall and crushed him to death during a livestreamed Mass in Ecuador.

In an Instagram post, the Archdiocese of Guayaquil  identified the priest as Fr. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari.

The incident occurred at the Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador on Saturday night. It went viral on social media the following day, Sunday.

Fr. Sanchez Molinari was celebrating the Holy Mass when to the churchgoers surprise, the wooden cross behind his back suddenly detached from the wall and hit him.

Horrified churchgoers immediately approached and tried to help the priest, who died on the spot.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil, in a statement, joined in prayer for the eternal rest of Fr. Sanchez Molinari’s  soul and expressed its solidarity, affection and love to the Redemptorist community, his family and friends.

“Rest in peace,” the Archdiocese added.

According to the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, Fr. Sanchez Molinari was a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a religious order of priests and brothers dedicated to missionary work, preaching and serving disadvantaged communities. The religious order was founded in 1732.