Abbot of Catholic Church in Ecuador killed with cross during Mass

In Ecuador, a priest died during a divine service. In the Catholic Church of Our Lady of Relentless Assistance in the city of Guayaquil on October 17, a wooden cross, fixed on a wall behind the altar, fell on the abbot Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari, according to Chilean TV channel T13.

The tragedy occurred during the broadcast of mass in social networks, the audience saw how in the 27th minute the cross suddenly fell off and fell on the priest. The service was immediately interrupted. Eyewitnesses called an ambulance and tried to help Patricio's father, but he died of his injuries before the doctors arrived.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the death of the priest, publishing an official statement on the Facebook page (owned by Meta, which is recognized in Russia as extremist and banned). Investigators are investigating the cause of the incident.

Patricio's father belonged to the Congregation of the Holy Redeemer, also known as the Order of the Redemptorists. He was the rector of the temple where the tragedy occurred.