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A priest passed away on Saturday in the Ecuadorian city of Guayaquil, the most populous in the country, after a large cross fell on him while he was conducting a mass that was being broadcast live on social media.
The priest was identified as Patricio Sánchez Molinari and was in the middle of the ceremony, in front of the altar, when a large wooden cross featuring a crucified Jesus, which was hanging on the wall, fell forward and struck him on the head.
Some women participating in the mass assisted him immediately, and in the broadcast video, which is posted on his Facebook social media account, they can be heard calling for an ambulance.
Despite the assistance, the Archbishop of Guayaquil and Ecuadorian Cardinal, Luis Gerardo Cabrera, confirmed the death through a statement.
The video of the accident, which occurred on Saturday night, went viral on social media this Sunday as other churches and Catholic educational centers lamented the priest's death and sent condolences to his family and friends.
Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a missionary community founded in 1732, and was in charge of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help church, located in the south-central part of Guayaquil.
[Publicidad]