Watch as priest dies after crucifix falls on him during livestreamed mass

A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after a large crucifix fell on him while he was celebrating mass in a church in Guayaquil, with the incident captured on a livestream of the service.

Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, parish priest of the Perpetuo Socorro Church, died on Saturday, October 17, 2026, after the wooden cross mounted behind the altar came loose and struck him during the religious service.

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The mass was being streamed live on social media when the incident occurred, with footage subsequently circulating widely online.

The video shows Father Sánchez Molinari addressing the congregation before the large crucifix suddenly fell on him.

Worshippers at the church rushed to assist him following the incident.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest's death in a statement issued on Saturday, expressing condolences to the Redemptorist community, his family and friends.

The archdiocese described Father Sánchez Molinari as the priest who served as parish priest of the Perpetuo Socorro Church in the Central Vicariate.

It also offered prayers for the repose of his soul.

Father Sánchez Molinari was a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Catholic religious order commonly known as the Redemptorists.

See the video below:

🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗛 𝗖𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗦 𝗗𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗦

🇪🇨 Church Priest Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari died after a large wooden cross fell on him while he was celebrating Mass at Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

The incident was captured during a live broadcast. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death.

#EcuadorNews #Guayaquil #Church

— Sanjay Singh (@HeySanjaySingh) October 18, 2026

JKB/EB

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