A Catholic priest died after a large wooden crucifix detached from a wall and struck him directly on the head during a livestreamed Mass in southwestern Ecuador. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday at the Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, the nation’s largest city.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was standing at the altar leading the service when the heavy structure, bearing the figure of Jesus Christ, suddenly came loose from the wall behind him. The crucifix tilted forward and fell straight down, striking the priest about 27 minutes into the live broadcast shared on his personal social media accounts.
The impact knocked Father Sánchez Molinari below the altar and out of the camera’s frame. The livestream captured immediate sounds of panic, with shocked parishioners shouting in agony and frantically calling for help. In the video, a woman can be heard repeatedly screaming in Spanish for an ambulance as several churchgoers rushed toward the altar to assist.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil formally confirmed the priest’s death in a statement published on social media. Father Sánchez Molinari served as the parish priest at Perpetuo Socorro Church, operating under the archdiocese’s Central Vicariate, and belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists.
Outpouring of Community Grief
Following the confirmation of his passing, parishioners, community members, and religious leaders took to social media to express their shock and sorrow. Tributes described Father Sánchez Molinari as an exceptional missionary, compassionate friend, and dedicated spiritual guide who deeply impacted the local community.
“What a loss. A great priest, a great friend. A true missionary of Christ,” one parishioner wrote in the comments section of the interrupted livestream. “You were an excellent, charitable priest. Rest now, Father; may God hold you in His holy glory.”
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil concluded its official announcement with traditional Latin prayers for the dead, offering condolences to his congregation and loved ones. Authorities have not yet released details regarding what caused the large structure to detach from the wall or whether an official structural safety investigation will be launched.
