A tragic accident during a church service in Guayaquil, Ecuador, has claimed the life of a Catholic priest after a large wooden crucifix fell on him while he was conducting Mass. The incident took place on October 17, 2026, at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and was captured during a livestream of the religious ceremony.
The priest, identified as Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, was standing near the altar and leading the service when the heavy crucifix mounted on the wall behind him suddenly came loose and struck him on the head. Worshippers were left shocked as the priest collapsed, prompting people present at the church to rush towards him and call for help.The Archdiocese of Guayaquil later confirmed his death and expressed condolences to his family, friends and fellow members of the religious community. Father Sánchez was associated with the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Catholic religious order known for its missionary work. He had also served at another parish in Ecuador before taking charge of the church in Guayaquil.
The cause of the crucifix falling remains unclear, and no official findings explaining the circumstances of the accident had been released in the reports available at the time of publication. The incident has left the local Catholic community mourning the loss of the priest.
