In a tragic incident over the Easter weekend in Zaragoza, Spain, Father Javier Sanchez, succumbed to injuries after his robes caught fire during an Easter Vigil ceremony.
According to reports, a spark from an ember bowl, believed to have been aided by paraffin, ignited his vestments, leading to severe burns that covered 50% of his body.
“The priest tried to protect the nuns of the convent when embers lit up in the basin that was used for the fire and that ultimately caused his death,” reported Spanish newspaper El Heraldo de AragĂłn.
Father Sanchez, 60, renowned for his musical talent and affectionately known as the ‘rock priest’ for his passion for music and having released three albums, was performing the ‘blessing of the fire.’
The incident, which took place inside a convent, saw Father Sanchez making a heroic effort to shield nuns from the flames. He was promptly transported to Miguel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza, where, despite the medical team’s best efforts, he experienced multiple organ failure and passed away after four days in intensive care.
The Archbishop of Zaragoza expressed his sorrow, saying, “It is with pain that we communicate that this morning the priest Javi Sánchez has died. We pray for his eternal rest.”
Tributes are said to be pouring in for Father Sanchez for his vibrant and much-loved personality. As investigations continue into the exact cause of the fire, the community there mourns the loss of a priest who touched many lives with his service, music, and dedication.
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