Priest Dies After Crucifix Falls on Him During Live-Streamed Mass in Ecuador
In a church in Guayaquil, Ecuador, Catholic priest Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari lost his life after being struck by a large wooden crucifix that collapsed during a livestreamed mass.
During a mass held at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Guayaquil, Ecuador, which was being livestreamed on social media, a large wooden crucifix fell onto the priest. Catholic priest Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who was seriously injured in the incident, has died.
In the incident that occurred on Saturday, October 17, 2026, Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, belonging to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and serving as the parish priest of the church, was addressing the congregation at the pulpit when the large wooden crucifix mounted on the wall behind him suddenly detached and fell forward. The moments when the priest, who could not see the falling cross because he was facing the congregation, collapsed to the ground from the impact of the blow were captured by the livestream camera.
Members of the congregation attending the mass screamed and immediately rushed to help the priest. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil released a statement confirming the priest's death and announced that a mass was planned in his memory for Sunday evening. Church officials stated that the cause of the crucifix's fall has not yet been clarified, while following the incident, some sources reported that the livestream video was circulated on social media, and others reported it was removed.