A Catholic priest in Ecuador has died after a large wooden crucifix fell on him during a livestreamed Mass, leaving worshippers shocked by the tragic incident.

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The priest, identified as Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, was preaching to parishioners both inside the church and those watching online when the incident occurred on Saturday at Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city.

According to reports, the accident happened about 30 minutes into the Mass when the heavy wooden cross mounted on the wall behind the altar suddenly fell on the priest.

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Footage from the livestream, which has since circulated on social media, captured the frightening moment. A woman could be heard calling out in distress, saying, “Father, Father … call an ambulance.”

Emergency responders were reportedly called to the scene, but Father Sánchez Molinari was later pronounced dead that same day.

Following his death, the church released a statement expressing its sorrow over the loss of the priest, who served at the parish.

The statement read: “We announce that our beloved Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 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.”

See video below……….

Moment huge holy Mary Cross falls on priest while addressing his church members https://t.co/mfw3UmypWL

— Iamelizabeth (@elizabethblogng) October 18, 2026