The Archdiocese of Guayaquil identified the priest as Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who served as parish priest at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, a coastal city about 265 kilometres southwest of the capital, Quito.
Footage of the service on Saturday night shows the large crucifix mounted behind the altar suddenly detaching from the wall and falling onto Sánchez as he celebrated Mass. The priest appeared unaware of the falling object before it struck him near the altar.
Worshippers could be heard crying for help as the livestream continued, with the incident bringing the service to an abrupt halt.
The Archdiocese confirmed Sánchez’s death on Sunday, expressing condolences to his loved ones and members of the Catholic community.
Sánchez was a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 that operates in about 80 countries.
The cause of the crucifix’s collapse remains unclear. Local authorities have not publicly commented on the incident, while church officials have yet to provide an explanation for how the heavy structure became detached from the wall.
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