A Catholic priest was killed after a large wooden crucifix fell on him during a livestreamed Mass at a church in Ecuador. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 52, was leading a service at the Perpetuo Socorro church in Guayaquil on Saturday, Oct. 17, when the crucifix fell from behind the altar and struck him on the head.
Video of the incident shows the cross suddenly falling toward the priest. Members of the congregation can be heard screaming as several people rush to help him. Some worshippers called for an ambulance. According to an Ecuadorian television network, witnesses said a wedding ceremony was scheduled to take place at the church.
Priest spoke about death shortly before accident
Minutes before the accident, Sánchez had spoken about death and the importance of spending time with God and loved ones. He encouraged worshippers to reflect on how they spent their lives. He said people often devoted their time to daily activities while overlooking what mattered most.
‘We Will All Die One Day’: Ecuador Priest Killed by Falling Crucifix Minutes After Prophetic Sermon.
In a moment of chilling irony captured on livestream, Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a 52-year-old Redemptorist priest, died Saturday evening when a heavy wooden… pic.twitter.com/6Ke5085OaY
— JAS (@JasADRxquisites) October 19, 2026
He also reminded the congregation that everyone would eventually die. Sánchez urged those attending the service to prioritize their faith and relationships with family and friends. His remarks were captured in the livestream shortly before the crucifix fell.
Church holds memorial Mass for priest killed in Ecuador
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed Sánchez’s death in a statement and expressed condolences to his family and religious community. Originally from Cuenca, Sánchez had served as a priest for 21 years and spent 26 years in religious life. He belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Catholic religious order founded in 1732. Before serving at Perpetuo Socorro, he had worked at San Lorenzo parish in Vinces, in Ecuador’s Los Ríos province.
On Sunday, family members, fellow clergy and parishioners gathered at the church to remember him. The archdiocese also thanked people around the world for their condolences and prayers. His remains were transferred to his hometown of Cuenca on Monday, Oct. 19. His burial was scheduled for Tuesday at Camposanto Santa Ana cemetery.
Police examine circumstances surrounding falling crucifix
Local media reported Monday that Ecuador’s National Police had preliminarily classified Sánchez’s death as accidental. However, the cause of the crucifix’s fall remains unknown. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil said it was awaiting a technical report to determine why the wooden structure became detached. The archdiocese also said its parishes carry out maintenance work with technical assistance.
Legal experts explained that investigators could examine the crucifix’s supports, installation, and maintenance to determine whether negligence played a role. Authorities have not established that negligence caused the accident.
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