A Catholic priest was killed in a horrific accident when a large wooden crucifix suddenly detached from the wall and crashed down onto him while he celebrated Mass in Ecuador.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, parish priest of the Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) church in Guayaquil, died after the heavy cross, complete with a figure of the crucified Jesus, struck him on the head around the 27-minute mark of the service.
The tragedy unfolded on Saturday 17 October 2026 at the church in the city’s Central Vicariate (near the junction of José Mascote and Calicuchima streets). The daily Mass was being livestreamed on social media from the priest’s own profile, meaning the moment of impact was captured on camera and quickly spread online.
In the footage, the priest is seen leading the service at the altar when the crucifix, which had been mounted on the wall directly behind him, abruptly comes loose and falls forward. It strikes him heavily. Instant chaos erupts. Congregants can be heard screaming in shock and desperation. One woman’s voice is clearly audible crying out: “Father, Father… call an ambulance!”
Worshippers rushed forward to try to help the stricken priest, but the impact of the large wooden structure proved fatal. Medical assistance was summoned, yet he could not be saved. Reports differ slightly on whether death was instantaneous or occurred shortly afterward; the Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed only that he had died from his injuries.
Cardinal Archbishop Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, OFM, issued a statement the same day: “We announce that our beloved Fr. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, CSsR., who served as parish priest of the Perpetual Help church in the Central Vicariate, has departed to the Father’s House to enjoy His presence and His glory.” The Archdiocese added that it joined in prayer for the eternal rest of his soul and expressed solidarity, affection and condolences to the Redemptorist community, his family and friends. The official notice did not mention the circumstances of the accident or the condition of the crucifix’s mounting.
Father Sánchez Molinari belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (the Redemptorists), the order founded in 1732 by Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori. The parish he led is dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a Marian devotion with a particularly close historical link to the Redemptorists. In 1866, Pope Pius IX entrusted the original icon of the Virgin – venerated in the Roman church of Saint Alphonsus – to the order’s care.
He had previously served for several years as parish priest of San Lorenzo in Vinces, in Ecuador’s Los Ríos province. That community issued its own tribute, noting that he had served “with dedication and pastoral love.”
The shocking video has prompted an outpouring of grief and condolences across social media, with many describing Father Sánchez Molinari as a kind, dedicated and well-liked priest. Messages include tributes such as “What sadness, a great priest and great friend,” “My heart feels enormous pain,” and “So kind and educated, rest in peace.”
As of Sunday, no official investigation findings or explanation for why the crucifix detached have been released. The Archdiocese has not commented on whether structural issues, the age or condition of the fittings, or any other factor contributed to the collapse.
The incident has left the Catholic community in Guayaquil and beyond in mourning, with the livestream ensuring the tragic sequence of events was witnessed by both those present in the church and viewers online.
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