Guayaquil, Ecuador – In Ecuador, a priest was suddenly killed during a tragic accident at a mass service, where he had just been speaking of the inevitability of death.

The tragedy occurred on Saturday evening at a church in Guayaquil, as the New York Post reported. Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari had been delivering a moving sermon at the time.

He urged the faithful not to waste their precious time on their phones and to instead devote themselves more to God and their loved ones.

The most valuable time, he said, is the time spent with God, spouses, children, and families.

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No one could have guessed that those words would take on a harrowing meaning moments later.

When the priest began another prayer, the unthinkable happened: The massive crucifix behind him suddenly detached from the wall and crashed onto the clergyman.

Horrified worshippers screamed. Several congregants rushed forward to help the injured priest, and an ambulance was called immediately.

The entire incident was captured during a live internet broadcast.

For Father Molinari, any help came too late, and he died later that same day from the injuries.

The reason why the heavy crucifix came loose from its mounting is still unknown. No explanation for the cause of the accident has been provided yet.