Horrifying moment priest is crushed to death by falling crucifix while live streaming Catholic Mass in Ecuador

Father Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari died after a large crucifix fell on him during a livestreamed Catholic Mass in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The accident, which happened at Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro Church on Saturday, was captured on the stream and has prompted grief among parishioners.

The crucifix came loose from the wall about 27 minutes into the broadcast and struck the priest as he stood at the altar; the stream ended shortly afterwards. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death on Sunday but did not explain what caused the cross to fall or say whether an investigation would take place. Sanchez Molinari belonged to the Redemptorists, a Catholic congregation with about 4,500 members worldwide.