Ecuadorian Catholic Priest Dies After Crucifix Falls On Him During Livestreamed Mass | Sahara Reporters
According to Newsweek, the Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest’s death in a social media statement on Sunday.
A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after a large crucifix fell on him while he was celebrating Mass at a church in Guayaquil, with the service being livestreamed at the time.
SaharaReporters saw a video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media, showing Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari addressing the congregation on Saturday before the large crucifix suddenly toppled over and struck him on the head.
According to Newsweek, the Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest’s death in a social media statement on Sunday.
“We announce that our beloved Fr. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, CSsR., who served as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in the Central Vicariate, has departed for the Father’s House to rejoice in His presence and glory,” the archdiocese said.
The statement added: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”
Father Patricio Sanchez passed away after a cross fell on him while he was celebrating Mass at Perpetuo Socorro Church. https://t.co/NBjFiKFvio
— WEST TRYBE NEWS (@westtrybe) October 18, 2026
The circumstances that led to the crucifix falling remain unclear, with no official explanation provided on whether structural damage or faulty fittings contributed to the incident.
According to Newsweek, Father Sánchez Molinari served as the parish priest of Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, also known as Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, in central Guayaquil.
He was a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists, a Catholic religious congregation founded in 1732 by Saint Alphonsus Liguori in Italy.
The congregation is known for its missionary work, particularly among poor, marginalised and isolated communities.
Local media outlet Guayaquil News reported that Sánchez Molinari had previously worked in Vinces, in Ecuador’s Los Ríos Province, before his assignment to downtown Guayaquil.
The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer was established by Saint Alphonsus Liguori, who left his legal career to dedicate himself to preaching and missionary work among rural and underserved communities near Naples, Italy.
According to information published by the Redemptorists’ Baltimore Province, the congregation expanded across Europe during the 19th century, establishing communities in countries including Italy, Poland, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Redemptorists later began missionary work in the United States, initially serving Native American communities before expanding their activities to Irish, German and Slavic immigrants.
Their work included religious instruction and helping immigrant communities adapt to life in their new country.
The death of Sánchez Molinari has drawn attention to the tragic incident captured during the livestreamed religious service in Guayaquil.