Priest Dies After Wooden Crucifix Falls During Livestreamed Mass in Ecuador

Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a Catholic priest serving at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Iglesia Perpetuo Socorro) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, died on Saturday, October 17 after a large wooden crucifix fell on him during a daily mass being livestreamed on social media. The crucifix, which had been mounted on the wall behind the altar, became detached and fell directly onto the priest while he was leading the congregation. Video footage of the incident, captured during the livestream, was subsequently shared widely across social media platforms and showed the structure falling and striking the priest in the head area.

Father Sánchez Molinari was a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists), a Catholic religious order founded in 1732 that focuses on serving poor and isolated communities. He had previously worked in Vinces, Los Ríos Province before being assigned to downtown Guayaquil. The priest regularly livestreamed masses from his own social media profiles and YouTube channel. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death in a statement published on social media, expressing condolences to his family, friends, and the Redemptorist congregation.

The cause of the crucifix's collapse remains under investigation, with no official explanation yet provided regarding how the structure became detached from the wall or whether structural damage or faulty fittings were responsible. The incident occurred at the intersection of José Mascote and Calicuchima streets in the Central Vicariate area of Guayaquil. The Redemptorist Congregation, which operates in 82 countries across five continents with approximately 4,500 members, also issued a statement expressing solidarity with those affected by Father Sánchez Molinari's death.