The priest, identified as Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, was celebrating the service at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Saturday, October 17, when the heavy wooden crucifix detached from the wall behind the altar and struck him on the head.
Footage from the livestream showed worshippers reacting with alarm and rushing to help after the incident. The broadcast captured the moment the crucifix fell, leaving congregants calling for assistance.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed Sánchez Molinari’s death in a statement, expressing condolences to his family, friends and fellow members of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists.
The priest served at the Perpetuo Socorro Church and belonged to the Catholic religious congregation, which was founded in 1732.
The cause of the accident has not been officially established. Local authorities had not publicly commented on the incident in the initial reports, and no confirmed explanation has been given for why the crucifix came loose.
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief among members of the local Catholic community and people who witnessed the incident through the online broadcast.
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Summary
Father Patricio Sánchez died after a large crucifix fell on him while he celebrated a Mass being livestreamed from a church in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The archdiocese has confirmed his death. A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after a large crucifix fell on him during a Mass that was being livestreamed from a church in the city of...
Key takeaways
- Father Patricio Sánchez died after a large crucifix fell on him while he celebrated a Mass being livestreamed from a church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
- The archdiocese has confirmed his death.
- A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after a large crucifix fell on him during a Mass that was being livestreamed from a church in the city of Guayaquil.The priest, identified as Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, was celebrating the service at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Saturday, October 17, when the heavy wooden crucifix detached from the wall behind the altar and struck him on the head.Footage from the livestream showed worshippers reacting with alarm and rushing to help after the incident.
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What is this story about?
Father Patricio Sánchez died after a large crucifix fell on him while he celebrated a Mass being livestreamed from a church in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The archdiocese has confirmed his death. A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after a large crucifix fell on him during a Mass that was being livestreamed from a church in the city of...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 19, 2026
