October 19, 2026 | World News

A Catholic priest has died after a large wooden crucifix fell from a church wall while he was celebrating Mass in Ecuador, leaving the congregation in shock.

The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, also known as Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro, in Guayaquil.

The priest was identified as Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 53.

As he stood facing worshippers during Mass, the large wooden crucifix bearing a figure of Jesus Christ detached from the wall behind him and struck his head.

The seriously injured priest collapsed. Shocked worshippers rushed to help and called for emergency medical assistance. He died following the accident.

The Mass was being livestreamed on social media, and the accident was captured on the broadcast. Footage subsequently circulated online.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil officially confirmed the priest's death and expressed its condolences to his family and religious community.

Father Sánchez Molinari belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists.

Following the tragedy, the archdiocese and the Redemptorists invited worshippers to a memorial Mass on Sunday night, October 18.

It remains unclear why the large crucifix detached from the church wall. No official explanation for the cause of the accident has been released.