Priest killed by falling crucifix during livestreamed Mass

A Catholic priest celebrating an evening Mass in southwestern Ecuador has died after a crucifix fell on him during the livestreamed service.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil, a coastal city 265km southwest of the capital Quito, identified the priest as Patricio Sanchez of Perpetuo Socorro Church.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Horror as priest killed by falling cross during livestreamed Mass

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Footage of the service on Saturday night shows a heavy wooden cross detaching from the wall at the back of the altar and striking Sanchez on the head as he celebrated Mass.

Sanchez appeared unaware the cross was falling before he was struck and disappeared behind the altar.

Worshippers cried for help as the social media broadcast continued.

Those present can be heard desperately calling out: “Father, Father. Call an ambulance.”.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed Sanchez had died in a social media post on Sunday.

“We announce that our dear Fr Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari, CSsR, who was serving as the parish priest of the Perpetuo Socorro Church in the Vicaria Centro, has passed away and is now at the House of the Father to enjoy His presence and His glory,” the post states.

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”

Be the first to know: Add 7NEWS as your preferred news source on GooglePriest Patricio Sanchez was killed by a falling crucifix as he celebrated Mass in Ecuador. Credit: Facebook

One follower’s reply to the post revealed some of Sanchez’s eerie final words and called for people not to ascribe divine intervention to the “tragic accident”.

“Friends, what happened affects us all,” the follower said.

“But let’s look at this with wisdom. It was a tragic accident. A poorly installed wooden cross came loose and fell. It’s not a punishment, it’s not a sign against anyone. It’s simply something that went wrong in this imperfect world.

“But what we should really take away are the words that Father Patricio said minutes before (he died): ‘Dear brothers, one day, all of us who are here will also die … and sometimes the time we have spent on other things doesn’t make as much sense as the time we spend on God. The quality time we give to God, to our brothers, to our spouse, to our children, to our family … that time is the best spent’.”

Local authorities have not commented on the incident.

Sanchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with a presence in 80 countries.

– With DPA