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 SΓ‘nchez 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 SΓ‘nchez 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 SΓ‘nchez 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 SΓ‘nchez 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:
π¨ ππ₯πππππ‘π: π£π₯πππ¦π§ ππππ¦ πππ§ππ₯ πππ¨π₯ππ ππ₯π’π¦π¦ πππππ¦ ππ¨π₯ππ‘π πππ©π π ππ¦π¦
β Sanjay Singh (@HeySanjaySingh) October 18, 2026
πͺπ¨ Church Priest Patricio Alfredo SΓ‘nchez 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
JKB/EB
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