A sudden and horrific catastrophe claimed the life of a Catholic priest in Ecuador livestreaming his sermon Sunday, October 18th. Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari had just delivered words addressing the fact that we all live mortal lives and need to seize each moment, unaware that this statement would be far more prescient and pertinent to his own life than anyone could possible imagine.
For context, viral video surged on the internet on what should otherwise have been a regular Sunday in October. Instead, a livestream from inside Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador captured the tragic last moments of Molinari as a giant crucifix attached to the wall behind the altar suddenly became detached and landed directly upon the unsuspecting and completely helpless priest.
Indeed, Father Molinaro had prepared his sermon that day to reflect on the words of Jesus Christ about not idling in life, particularly as it applied to the modern age of wasting away time scrolling on phones and instead focus on dedicating themselves to God and others.
As reported on social media, this theme “The Catholic priest who died after a crucifix fell on him was talking about how everyone will be dead one day and the importance of giving your life to God,” Collin Rugg wrote on X. “‘Dear brothers and sisters, one day, all of us here will also die…’ said Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari of Ecuador. ‘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,” he said again,’” Rugg mentioned the priest saying.
“‘The quality time we gave to Him, to our brothers and sisters, to our spouses, to our children, and to our families… That is time well spent, dear brothers and sisters.’ Just moments later, the crucifix fell on him and killed him,” Rugg finished alongside the difficult-to-watch video.
The Facebook page for Daily Mail Video included additional information. “In the video, Sanchez Molinari can be seen standing at an altar with a cross bearing the figure of Jesus Christ high up on the wall behind him. The crucifix then suddenly came loose, tilted forward and fell straight down, directly onto the priest’s head,” the report stated.
“Sanchez Molinari was knocked below the altar and out of frame. The livestream captured the sound of shocked parishioners shouting in agony and screaming for help.’Padre!’ a woman could be heard repeatedly screaming. ‘Call an ambulance!’ she also said in Spanish. A few people could then be seen running towards the altar as they appeared to try to help the priest,” it continued.
“Sanchez Molinari was identified and confirmed dead by the Archdiocese of Guayaquil on Sunday. ‘We announce that our dear Fr. Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari, CSsR.—who served as parish priest of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Perpetuo Socorro) in the Central Vicariate—has departed for the Father’s House to enjoy His presence and His glory,’ the Archdiocese wrote in a statement on social media,” it went on.
“The statement likewise did not clarify whether Sanchez Molinari was killed instantly or died from his injuries later at the hospital. Sanchez Molinari was a priest in the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists.”