Ecuadorian Catholic Priest Fatally Crushed by Falling Crucifix During Live-Streamed Mass : Was Speaking on Death

Independent, Oct 19, 2026, Guayaquil : A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after he was fatally crushed by a falling crucifix while live-streaming evening mass.

The shocking accident occurred on Saturday at the Nuestra Senora del Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, some 265 km southwest of the capital.

Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was broadcasting the event live from his social media accounts when the mounted cross on the wall behind him fell suddenly, around 30 minutes into the stream.

Graphic footage of the mass showed a heavy crucifix hanging behind the altar detaching and falling onto the back of the priest’s head. The priest was facing the congregation at the time and did not appear to see it fall. The video showed he did not stand up again after being struck.

The priest was knocked below the altar and out of view, but recorded horrified worshippers shouting out and rushing to his aid.

"Father, Father! Call an ambulance!" people could be heard shouting just before the broadcast cut out. Others could be seen rushing towards the altar to help the stricken cleric.

Emergency services were immediately called to the scene, but first responders were unable to revive the priest. The video of the livestream was later taken down from the priest’s page, but circulated widely on social media, NBC News reported.

The archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death on Sunday, writing that Sanchez "has left to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory".

"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen," they wrote in a statement in Latin published on social media.

The archdiocese did not say what had caused the crucifix to fall or whether there would be an investigation.

It was unclear whether he was killed instantly or died later from injuries.

Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with a presence in 80 countries, according to the Associated Press.

A Eucharist in his memory was scheduled for Sunday evening, the archdiocese said.

New York Post, PTI, Oct 19, 2026, Guayaquil : 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.

Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari, of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in southern Guayaquil, was reflecting on the words of Jesus when he told his congregation they should not waste their lives scrolling on their phones and instead dedicate them to God and their loved ones.

"One day, all of us here will also die, and sometimes the time we've spent on things doesn't have as much meaning as the time we spend with God," he said.

"The quality time we give to God, to our brothers and sisters, to our husbands, wives, children, and family— that time is the best spent," Molinari added.

The priest went on to ask God to bless his congregation as he began another prayer — when the giant crucifix behind him suddenly fell off the wall and landed on him.

The shocking incident was caught on a livestream of the sermon, in which panicked members of the congregation could be heard screaming as they rushed to help the priest and call an ambulance.

First responders reported to the scene, but Molinari was declared dead that same day, officials said.

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.

He served under the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, and Cardinal Archbishop Monsignor Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera confirmed his death.

"We announce that our beloved Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, who served as parish priest of the Perpetual Help church in the Central Vicariate, has departed to the Father's House to enjoy His presence and His glory," the church said in a statement.

He was also mourned at the San Lorenzo Parish of Vinces, in the Los Rios province, where he had served for several years, according to parish leaders.

It remains unclear what caused the heavy crucifix to detach and fall from the wall, and church officials haven't publicly provided an explanation for the incident.