Catholic priest dies as cross falls on him during livestreamed mass
Written by Rita Okaba on October 19, 2026
A Catholic priest, Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari, has died after a large wooden cross fell on him while he was celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
The incident occurred on Saturday, during a service that was being livestreamed on social media, according to the Associated Press and Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo on Sunday.
The priest was at the altar when the cross hanging behind him became detached and struck him on the head.
The Associated Press reported that footage of the service showed “a heavy crucifix detaching from the wall above the altar and striking Sánchez on the head as he celebrated Mass.”
