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World

Priest killed when crucifix falls during livestreamed Mass in Ecuador

Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was struck by a heavy wooden crucifix that detached from the wall behind the altar during a livestreamed Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church in Guayaquil on Saturday; the Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death on Sunday.

By Sarah Whitfield · · 1 min read

Watercolour illustration of a quiet church interior with a wooden altar, a cross on the stone wall and glowing candles. (Illustration: Flip News)
Illustration: Flip News (AI-generated)

A Catholic priest was killed in Ecuador when a large wooden crucifix detached from a church wall and struck him during a Mass that was being livestreamed on social media.

Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was leading the service at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro) in Guayaquil on Saturday, 17 October, when the heavy crucifix fell from the wall behind the altar onto him. The accident happened about 27 minutes into the Mass, which was being broadcast on social media (Gulf News, Indian Express).

Footage circulating online captured screams inside the church as worshippers rushed to the altar to help. A woman can be heard shouting “Father, Father … call an ambulance,” according to reports (Fox News, NY Post). Emergency services were called to the church, and the priest was declared dead later the same day (NY Post).

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday, writing: “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” (Indian Express).

Father Sánchez Molinari belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists. Before serving in Guayaquil, he had spent several years as parish priest at San Lorenzo in Vinces, in Ecuador’s Los Ríos province (Fox News).

What caused the crucifix to fall remains unknown, and church officials have not publicly provided an explanation (Fox News, Gulf News).

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