Priest dies after massive crucifix falls onto him during livestreamed mass

There were gasps and screams inside the church

The large wooden cross fell onto Father Sánchez Molinari, 53, while he was giving a sermon inside the church.

The incident, in which Molinari was crushed to death, occurred on Saturday in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city.

How the horror incident occurred during livestream as people left shocked

Father Molinari collapsed onto the floor the instant that the large wooden cross fell onto him.

It detached from the wall in which it was mounted, before hitting his head.

What caused the crucifix to fall is not yet clear.

Screenshot from the livestream, moments before the tragedy. The sensitive video has been circulating on social media.

There were gasps and screams inside the church as one female member of the congregation was heard saying: “Father, father… call an ambulance”.

Cardinal Archbishop Luis Cabrera Herrera said: “We inform you that our brother, Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who served as parish priest of the Perpetual Help Church, central vicariate, has departed to the House of the Father to enjoy His presence and His glory.”

“The Archdiocese of Guayaquil joins in prayer for the eternal rest of his soul and expresses its solidarity, affection, and love to the Redemptorist family, his relatives, and friends. May he rest in peace”

Father Molinari was a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, founded in 1732.

La Prensa Grafica reported that his duties included carrying out pastoral and missionary work in the area.