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Final words of priest killed by falling cross during livestreamed mass
The harrowing final words of a priest uttered before being killed by a falling cross during a livestreamed mass have been revealed.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 53, was standing at the altar of Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Saturday (October 17) when a large wooden crucifix hanging on the wall fell forward and struck the back of his head.
A video of the horrific moment was shared online and showed panicked parishioners running to his side and calling for help.
"Father, Father … call an ambulance," a woman can be heard shouting in the footage.
The priest's final words revealed
According to reports, before Rev. Molinari's untimely death, he told his congregation not to waste their lives scrolling on their phones or working, but to dedicate themselves to God and their 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, per 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," he added.
Photos from yesterday’s Eucharist in honor of Rev. Molinari reveal that the cross has not been replaced, with its outline still seen on the bare church wall.
Father Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732.
He served under the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, and Cardinal Archbishop Monsignor Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera confirmed his death on Facebook.
"We announce that our beloved Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who served as parish priest of the Perpetual Help church in the Central Vicariate, has departed to the Father’s House to enjoy His presence and His glory," the church wrote in a statement shared on Facebook.
"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen," they added.
Many mourners have also shared tribute messages, with one writing: "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."
Another said: "May God receive him in His Holy Glory, one of the best Priests that our Perpetual Help parish has ever had. His passing is very sad, only God knows why it happened this way, we will miss you a lot Father Patricio."
He was also honoured at the San Lorenzo Parish of Vinces, in the Los Rios province, where he had served for several years.
It remains unclear what caused the heavy cross to fall from the wall, and officials haven’t given an explanation for the devastating incident.