A giant wooden crucifix dislodged from the wall during Mass and fatally crushed a Catholic priest in Ecuador this weekend.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was celebrating Mass in Guayaquil, Ecuador on Saturday when the crucifix fell on top of him.
In his last sermon, the priest told the parishioners to spend their time wisely because “one day we all die.”
“Dear brothers and sisters, one day we will all die, and the time we spent on trivial things will prove far less meaningful than the time we invested in God,” said Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari.
“The quality time we gave to Him, to our brothers and sisters, to our spouses, to our children, and to our families,” he said. “That is time well spent, dear brothers and sisters.”
Moments later, parishioners watched in horror as the crucifix fell on top of the priest and crushed him.
Worshippers rushed to help Father Sánchez Molinari.
“Father! Father!” a woman shouted as she called for an ambulance.
The Archdiocese confirmed the priest died of his injuries.
“We announce that our beloved Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, CSsR, who served as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in the Central Vicariate, has departed to the Father’s House to enjoy His presence and His glory,” the Archdiocese said in a statement.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen,” the Archdiocese said.
WATCH (warning: distressing content):
