A deeply religious pizza parlor worker is suing the archdiocese that presides over the Church of St. Patrick in Newburgh, because he says this 600-pound crucifix fell on him, crushing one of his legs, which had to be amputated. (Photo: CBS 2)

NEWBURGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) – David Jimenez believed his devotion to a crucifix was responsible for his wife being cured of cancer. Well, the crucifix fell on him, crushing one of his legs.

And as CBS 2’s John Slattery reported Friday, the leg had to be amputated.

Jimenez sees tragic irony in losing his leg to a crucifix he had prayed to. The crucifix had been outside the Church of St. Patrick in Newburgh. For months, the 45-year-old pizza worker would stop and pray at the crucifix, that his wife would be cured of ovarian cancer.

And she was.

“David attributed the cure to his devotion to that cross,” Jimenez attorney Kevin Kitson said.

Because of that, Jimenez said, he got permission to clean the crucifix, which was long-neglected. But in doing so, the statue dislodged and toppled onto him.

“Throwing him down to the parking lot, crushing his right leg,” Kitson said.

The attorney for Jimenez, who would not allow his client to speak, said the 600-pound statue was supported by a single screw in the base.

“The screw was useless. The screw is useless. It supported no anchoring system,” Kitson said.

The church’s pastor told CBS 2’s Slattery by phone that parishioners collected food and some $7,000 for the Jimenez family, but Kitson said the insurance company for the archdiocese has been less than forthcoming. So, the injured man is suing.

Jimenez, who believes in the power of prayer, is now praying for a judgment, not from a higher authority, but from a civil court.

Jury selection in the case is scheduled to begin next Wednesday.

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