Catholic Priest Killed by Falling Crucifix During Livestreamed Mass in Ecuador

A tragic incident occurred in Guayaquil, Ecuador, when a Catholic priest, Rev. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, lost his life during a livestreamed Mass. This unfortunate event unfolded on Saturday, as reported by the Archdiocese of Guayaquil.

Witnesses were attending Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help church when chaos struck. The livestream, broadcasted on Sánchez’s Facebook page, showed him standing before the congregation. Unexpectedly, a large crucifix fell from the wall behind him, hitting the back of his head. The priest collapsed and did not rise again. Sánchez had over 4,600 followers on Facebook who could view the incident live.

In a solemn declaration, the Archdiocese said Sánchez “has departed to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory.” They shared their grief and expressed deep sympathy for Sánchez’s family and friends in their official statement.

The graphic footage of the accident spread swiftly on social media platforms, drawing significant media coverage. However, local authorities have kept silent on the specifics of the accident.

Sánchez was a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. This Roman Catholic religious order was established in 1732 and operates in 80 countries worldwide.