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Ecuador Priest Dies After Crucifix Falls During Mass
· Confirmed
In Short: Footage of the service captured the crucifix detaching and falling towards the priest as worshippers rushed to help.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 53, died on Saturday, October 17, after a large wooden crucifix fell and struck him during a Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
The incident occurred during a livestreamed service, where the crucifix detached from the wall behind the altar and fell onto the back of Father Sánchez's head.
Footage of the service captured the crucifix detaching and falling towards the priest as worshippers rushed to help.
Father Sánchez, who was facing the congregation, did not appear to notice the crucifix falling before it struck him.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil subsequently confirmed his death and announced a memorial Mass for October 18 at the same church.
Father Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with a presence in 80 countries.
Before serving in Guayaquil, he spent several years as parish priest at San Lorenzo in Vinces, in Ecuador’s Los Ríos province.
The Catholic faithful are mourning the death of Father Sánchez, with the Redemptorist family and his own family and friends receiving solidarity and care.
The circumstances surrounding the crucifix becoming detached remain unclear, and local authorities have yet to explain what caused the accident.
Father Sánchez had just reminded worshippers that life is temporary and that the time given to them should be spent meaningfully when the crucifix fell.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil identified the priest as Patricio Sánchez of Perpetuo Socorro Church.
Background
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 53, was leading a Mass at the Church of Perpetual Relief in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Saturday, October 17, when a large wooden crucifix fell from the wall behind the altar and struck him on the head.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a Catholic priest, died on Saturday, October 17, when a heavy wooden crucifix fell from the wall behind the altar during a Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
What's confirmed
- Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 53, died on Saturday, October 17, following the incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador, during a Mass that was being livestreamed on social media.
- The priest, Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, was celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, also known as Perpetuo Socorro Church, in Guayaquil, on Saturday, October 17, when the heavy wooden crucifix mounted behind the altar suddenly detached from the wall and struck him.
- October 19, 2026 Austine Agbo Emmanuel Religion 0 A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after a large crucifix fell on him during a Mass that was being livestreamed from his church, in a tragic incident that shocked worshippers and viewers watching the service online.
- The Archdiocese of Guayaquil subsequently confirmed his death.
- Related video: Man falls 120 feet into water at Glacier National Park Roman Catholic priest Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, of Perpetuo Socorro Church, was seen on video speaking to congregants when a heavy crucifix appeared to detach from the wall, striking the priest on the head.
- "has left to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory."
What's still developing
- Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a Catholic priest, was killed when a crucifix fell during Communion. (Patricio Sanchez Facebook) His former parish mourned his death in a social media tribute, remembering the dedication and pastoral love he brought to its community, El Universo reported.
- The service was being broadcast live online, and footage captured the shocking moment the crucifix toppled forward... striking the priest near the altar as he addressed worshippers.
- “As a Redemptorist family, we join in prayer for the eternal rest of his soul, and we ask the Lord to grant comfort to his family, his brother priests, and all the faithful who cherish his legacy and memory with gratitude.” The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929.
- The Catholic priest who was killed by a falling crucifix over the weekend in Ecuador had been giving a sermon about the fleeting nature of life just before the freak accident was caught live on camera.
- The archdiocese said the priest had departed to the “House of the Father”, expressing hope in the Christian promise of eternal life.
- The tragedy has left members of the congregation and the wider Catholic community mourning the loss of a priest whose final moments were captured during a religious service.
- The Mass was livestreamed on the priest's Facebook page where he has over 4,600 followers.