Priest in Ecuador dies during Mass after cross falls on him

Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, pastor of Perpetuo Socorro Church (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, died on Saturday, October 17, when the wooden cross mounted behind the altar came loose and struck him during Mass. He was 53 and belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, the Redemptorists.

Minutes earlier, Sánchez had spoken to the congregation about death. "One day all of us who are here are also going to die," he said in his homily, urging those present to consider how much time they gave to their phones, social media and work compared with the time they set aside for the spiritual life. "How much time are we giving to God?" he asked. The accident happened shortly afterward.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil released a statement signed by Cardinal Luis Cabrera saying the priest "has departed to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and his glory." The statement offered "solidarity, affection and love to the Redemptorist family, to their families and friends."

Requiem Mass and reaction from the community

The Redemptorists and the Archdiocese of Guayaquil called the faithful to a Mass for Sánchez's soul on Sunday, October 18, at 9 p.m. local time, at the same Perpetuo Socorro Church where he died.

The news drew a wide response from religious and the faithful. The Salesians wrote: "We thank God for all the good received through Fr. Patricio Sánchez, who accompanied the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and young women with closeness, love and pastoral dedication, especially in our communities in Guayaquil." Sánchez was a native of Cuenca. The Salesians added, "we are sure that he already enjoys the presence of God."

Betty Montaño said: "May Almighty God receive his soul. We are very sorry about this situation. Death took the priest by surprise as he was celebrating Holy Mass." Mari Pérez said safety measures needed to be reviewed: "we have to see what caused this accident, be more careful about how the images are placed."

Tributes from the faithful

Many of the faithful described his death as a sign of priestly fidelity. Carlos Alberto Pastrello wrote: "For that priest it is an honor to leave this world for the house of the Father while celebrating Holy Mass; a faithful reflection of Jesus who died on the cross, he is already in heaven enjoying the delights God had prepared for him beforehand."

María Augusta Guzmanberrezueta added: "Proclaiming Jesus Christ, God calls him into his presence." Vicente Sauhing Dávila wrote on the priest's Facebook profile: "The Lord embraced him and took him with him to his Holy House. Jesus said it: 'be ready with your lamps lit. You know neither the day nor the hour.'"

San Lorenzo parish in Vinces, Ecuador, where Sánchez also served as pastor, mourned his death and pointed to his "pastoral dedication and love." "As a Redemptorist family, we join in prayer for the eternal rest of his soul and ask the Lord for consolation for his family, his brother priests and all the faithful who keep his legacy and memory with gratitude," the parish said in a statement.