A Catholic priest has spoken out against speculation that the death of a fellow clergyman who was killed when a crucifix fell on top of him during Mass was a punishment from God. Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was leading a mass in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Saturday, when the crucifix above him came tumbling down on top of him and struck him in the head. The mass was being livestreamed at the time, so footage of the death quickly went viral, with one post receiving more than 12 million views as of Wednesday.
The shocking circumstances of Father Sánchez Molinari’s death have led some people online to ask whether it was “divine punishment,” but Father Juan Carlos Vásconez, priest and rector of the San Josemaría Escrivá church in Guayaquil, has said he does not believe this is the case. Life is fragile, and we will all go through that moment,” he told Spanish-language Catholic news outlet EWTN News Español. To make his case, Father Vásconez invoked the Biblical story of the Tower of Siloam, which killed 18 people when it collapsed in Jerusalem.
In the Gospel of Luke (13:4-5), Jesus says: “Those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them – do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Some of the online comments Father Vásconez was responding to were from people asking questions in trying to make sense of the tragedy, while others argued that Father Sánchez Molinari’s death was an act of divine judgment. One account commented on a video of the death, asking “divine punishment?” while another commenter said: “Doesn't the precision seem weird to you?
You don't fall short or go too far; it lands right on the head.” American commentator Juliana, a MAGA supporter who has 10,000 followers, said in a post: “However you interpret this incident, this is not ordinary; read the Old Testament and see what happens when God is angry with those he has chosen to lead his people. This cross couldn't have fallen at any other time, and it couldn't have missed the target; obviously, God is angry with humanity. Patricio Sanchez!” The Archdiocese of Guayaquil on Sunday confirmed in a post on social media that Father Sánchez Molinari had died, which said: "We announce that our beloved Fr.
Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, CSsR., who served as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in the Central Vicariate, has departed for the Father’s House to rejoice in His presence and glory." The statement continued: "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen." Father Sánchez Molinari’s family have demanded an investigation into the circumstances around his death, the Ecuadorian newspaper El Comercio reports.
Father Vásconez has also called for objects installed in churches to be inspected to check that crosses and statues are securely attached. Details about Father Sánchez Molinari are sparse. He was the parish priest of Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, and part of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, founded in 1732 by the Italian St.
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