Guayaquil, Ecuador: A Catholic priest has died after a large wooden crucifix fell from the wall behind the altar and struck him while he was celebrating Mass. The service was being broadcast live online when the accident happened on Saturday evening, October 17, 2026.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death on Sunday, October 18, in a statement published on social media.
What happened
The priest was Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, the parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, a coastal city in southwestern Ecuador. According to news reports, he was leading an evening Mass that he was streaming through his personal social media accounts when the heavy crucifix came loose from the wall above the altar and fell on him.
Footage of the broadcast shows the moment of the accident. Reports say worshippers inside the church rushed forward to help him. Because the Mass was live, many people watching online also saw what happened.
Who was Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari?
Father Sánchez Molinari belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, better known as the Redemptorists. The order was founded in 1732 and today has a presence in around 80 countries. In Guayaquil he served in the Central Vicariate of the archdiocese and regularly shared Masses through social media and a YouTube channel.
In its statement, the archdiocese described him as a beloved priest and offered prayers for his eternal rest. It also extended condolences to his family, friends and fellow Redemptorists.
Why did the crucifix fall?
That is still unknown. No official explanation has been given about whether a structural problem, a loose fitting or another cause was responsible, and local authorities had not commented at the time of the reports. Until an inspection is carried out and its findings are made public, it would be wrong to guess.
Key facts
- Who: Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, C.Ss.R.
- Where: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Guayaquil, Ecuador
- When: Saturday evening, October 17, 2026
- What: A large wooden crucifix mounted on the wall behind the altar fell on him during a livestreamed Mass
- Confirmation: Archdiocese of Guayaquil, on Sunday, October 18
- Cause: Not yet officially explained
A note on sharing the video
The clip of the accident is circulating online. Please remember that a real person lost his life and that his family and parish community are grieving. Sharing the footage widely adds to their pain, so we have chosen not to embed or link to it here.
This is a developing story and details may change as the archdiocese and local authorities share more information. This article will be updated when official findings are released.
Sources
This report is based on coverage from the following outlets:
