Priest Killed by Falling Crucifix During Livestreamed Mass in Ecuador

Developing story. Updated 12:45 UTC, Oct 20, 2026.

Update: On Monday, Oct 19, 2026, the remains of Father Sánchez Molinari were transferred to Cuenca, where his burial is planned for Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026, at Santa Ana Cemetery, Steven Pincay, a communications manager for the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, told The Christian Post on Monday. USA TODAY, reporting on Monday, also reviewed the livestream footage and confirmed the archdiocese account of his death. No cause for the fall has been given.

Earlier update: On Sunday, Oct 18, 2026, the church held a memorial Eucharist for Father Sánchez Molinari, led by Cardinal Luis Cabrera, archbishop of Guayaquil, and attended by auxiliary bishops, priests, members of the Redemptorist community and parishioners, CNN reported, citing images and a statement shared by the church. In that statement the church said: "We are grateful for all of the condolences from around the world, and especially for your prayers for the eternal rest of the soul of Patricio Sánchez." Police had still not commented on the incident, CNN reported, citing its affiliate Ecuavisa.

Earlier update: Minutes before the crucifix fell, Father Sánchez Molinari had been preaching about the fleeting nature of life. Reflecting on the words of Jesus, he told worshippers not to waste their lives scrolling on their phones and to give their time instead to God and to the people they love. "One day, all of us here will also die, and sometimes the time we have spent on things does not have as much meaning as the time we spend with God," he said. He then began another prayer and asked God to bless the congregation, moments before the crucifix behind him came loose. The tragedy also came one day after the Archdiocese of Guayaquil had congratulated him on the anniversary of his ordination. Before serving in Guayaquil, he had been parish priest at San Lorenzo in Vinces, in Los Ríos Province, and members of that former parish have paid tribute to his pastoral dedication. He regularly livestreamed his Masses on his own social media profiles and a YouTube channel.

A Roman Catholic priest died after a large wooden crucifix fell on him during an evening Mass in Guayaquil, Ecuador, that was being livestreamed to worshippers online.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil identified the priest as Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, known locally as Perpetuo Socorro, in the Central Vicariate. Guayaquil is a coastal city 265 kilometres (164 miles) southwest of the capital, Quito, the Associated Press reported.

The accident happened on Saturday, Oct 17, 2026. About 27 minutes into the broadcast, the heavy crucifix mounted on the wall behind the altar above him came loose and fell forward, striking him on the head as he addressed the congregation. Footage from the livestream shows worshippers screaming for help, with one woman heard calling for an ambulance. People inside the church rushed forward to help him as the broadcast continued.

Emergency services were called to the church, but Father Sánchez Molinari was declared dead later that same day, the New York Post reported. No other injuries were reported in the accounts published on Sunday.

Church confirms death on Sunday

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death on Sunday in a statement posted on social media. The archdiocese said he had "departed to the Father's House to enjoy His presence and His glory," and it joined in prayer for the eternal rest of his soul. It expressed solidarity and affection to the Redemptorist family, his relatives and his friends.

Father Sánchez Molinari belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, known as the Redemptorists, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 with a presence in 80 countries.

Cause is still unknown

It is not clear why the crucifix came loose. Church officials have not publicly provided an explanation for the fall, and local authorities had not commented on the incident in the reports published on Sunday. No official account has said whether a faulty fitting or structural damage played a part.

Video of the moment has spread widely on social media since Saturday night, bringing tributes from friends, former schoolmates and parishioners who described their shock at what happened during a service many of them were watching live.

Orbit Post will update this story when the archdiocese or local authorities give a confirmed account of why the crucifix fell.