Skip to content 
A priest in Ecuador died Saturday after a crucifix fell on him during a livestreamed Mass, according to church officials and video of the incident.
The Rev. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari died on Saturday, the Archdiocese of Guayaquil announced.
He was the priest at the Church of Perpetual Relief of the Central Vicariate, the archdiocese said.
Molinari “departed to the Father’s house to enjoy his presence and glory,” it said in a press release.
The mass was streamed live, but the video was taken down. The video, reviewed by NBC News, showed a large crucifix hanging on a wall behind Molinari suddenly leaning forward on the back of his head.
Molinari was behind the altar, facing the congregation, and did not see the crucifix behind him.
Molinari did not return, and the parishioners are heard screaming and crying on the video. Some urge him to tend.
On Sunday evening there will be a Eucharist in his memory.
