International
oi-Ashish Rana
A routine church service in Ecuador turned tragic when a giant crucifix came crashing down on the priest conducting the Mass. The incident, captured by a livestream camera, took place at a church in Guayaquil on Saturday, 17 October, 2026. The priest, Father Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari, later died, the Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed on Sunday.
Father Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari died in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Saturday, October 17, 2026, when a large crucifix fell on him during Mass at Nuestra Senora del Perpetuo Socorro Church. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest’s death on Sunday.
Livestream Captures Shocking Church Incident
The video shows Father Sanchez Molinari standing at the altar and addressing the congregation when the large crucifix fixed to the wall behind him suddenly falls.
The religious structure strikes the priest, taking him out of the camera’s view. Moments later, the fallen crucifix can be seen stretched across the altar area.
The footage has circulated widely on social media, bringing attention to the fatal incident during the religious service at Nuestra Senora del Perpetuo Socorro Church.
A priest was killed in Ecuador after a massive cross collapsed on him during services.The incident happened in front of worshippers and was captured on a livestream. https://t.co/0ia3NKTsjG
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) October 18, 2026
Church Announces Priest’s Death
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the priest’s death in a social media statement on Sunday. It remembered him as a priest who served the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in the Central Vicariate.
The statement read, “We announce that our beloved Fr. Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari, CSsR., who served as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in the Central Vicariate, has departed for the Father’s House to rejoice in His presence and glory.”
The archdiocese also shared a prayer in his memory, saying, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”
Who Was Father Patricio Sanchez Molinari?
Father Sanchez Molinari served as the parish priest at the church where the incident occurred. He was also a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, a Catholic religious congregation commonly known as the Redemptorists.
The circumstances surrounding the crucifix falling were not detailed in the archdiocese’s announcement. The incident has drawn widespread attention because the livestream captured the moment the large structure came down during the service.
