Ecuadorian priest dies after crucifix falls on him during livestreamed Mass
Roman Catholic priest Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari has died after a heavy crucifix fell on his head during a livestreamed evening Mass at a church in southwestern Ecuador. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death.
- Ecuadorian priest Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari died after a crucifix fell on him during a livestreamed Mass.
- Footage showed the crucifix striking the priest's head as worshippers cried for help.
- The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death, but local authorities had not commented on the incident.
A Roman Catholic priest died on Saturday, 17 October 2026, after a large crucifix fell on his head during an evening Mass in Guayaquil, southwestern Ecuador, with footage of the livestreamed service showing the object falling from the wall behind the altar.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil identified the priest as Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who served at the Church of Perpetual Relief, also known as Perpetuo Socorro Church, in the archdiocese's Central Vicariate.
The footage showed the crucifix detaching from the wall and falling forward onto the back of Sánchez Molinari's head as he celebrated Mass. He did not appear to notice it falling and did not stand back up afterwards.
Worshippers cried for help as the social media broadcast continued. The livestream was subsequently taken down.
A Eucharist in memory of Sánchez Molinari is scheduled for Sunday evening.
Archdiocese confirms priest's death
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil announced the priest's death in a statement, expressing its condolences and describing his passing in religious terms.
“He has left to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory,” the archdiocese said in a news release.
Guayaquil is a coastal city about 265 kilometres (164 miles) south-west of Ecuador's capital, Quito.
Local authorities had not publicly commented on the incident in the available reports.
Sánchez Molinari belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 that has a presence in 80 countries.
He was serving as parish priest at Perpetuo Socorro Church when the incident occurred.
