A priest in Ecuador was killed by a falling cross during a church service, and a disturbing video of the moment has gone viral. Just moments before he died, the priest imparted an important and enduring message to parishioners and, it now turns out, to the world.
The horrific video is too disturbing to embed; it shows the large crucifix carrying a statue of Jesus Christ falling on the priest. The live video is still on the priest’s own Facebook page; it shows the tragedy at the end, but it also captures much of his other comments that day. The Facebook page also contains many other videos of the priest’s past sermons, which some are taking solace in online.
His name was Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari. The Archdiocese of Guayaqui confirmed his death.
“We announce that our dear Fr. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez 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,” a Facebook post from the Archdiocese reads. The cause of the tragedy is not yet clear.
The Priest Had Just Spoken About Death in His Sermon & He Gave Some Important Advice
The priest spent his final moments extolling parishioners on the wisdom of putting down electronic devices in favor of focusing on God and loved ones.
“One day, all of us here will also die, and sometimes the time we’ve spent on things doesn’t have as much meaning as the time we spend with God,” he said, according to The New York Post.
“The quality time we give to God, to our brothers and sisters, to our husbands, wives, children, and family— that time is the best spent,” Molinari added.
He then asked God to bless the congregation and started another prayer, but the cross fell at that moment. The parishioners expressed horror and rushed to the altar to help him, the video shows. He died that same day.
According to The Post, the priest “belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with a presence in 80 countries.”
Tributes Are Flowing in for the Catholic Priest
According to NBC News, the Mass was being livestreamed when the tragedy occurred.
Tributes flowed for the priest on the Archdiocese’s comment thread. “We thank God for all the good received through Fr. Patricio Sánchez (+), who accompanied with closeness, love and pastoral dedication the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and the young people, especially in our presences in Guayaquil,” read one comment.
“A priest never dies alone, he dies having lived for others. With his hands he blessed, with his voice he forgave, with his life he taught us the Gospel not only with words, but with the example of his daily dedication,” wrote another person.
Added another person: “As members of the entire Catholic People of God, believers convinced that God’s times are perfect and that life here does not end but is the step to eternal life, we meet with the loving love of God the Heavenly Father.”
Priest in Ecuador Crushed by Falling Cross After Giving Final Message