Catholic Intelligence
Search
If the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil.Ps 127:1

Life & Family

Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 53, struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Redemptorist Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari died on Saturday, Oct. 17, after a large crucifix fell and struck him during Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The 53-year-old priest was standing behind the altar when the wooden crucifix tipped forward and hit him on the head, causing him to collapse. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death in a statement signed by Cardinal Luis Cabrera.

The incident was captured on a livestream of the service, which was being broadcast to parishioners watching from home. While the video went viral online, the parish removed the footage due to its sensitive content. It remains uncertain why the crucifix fell during the Eucharistic celebration.

The Redemptorist community and the Archdiocese celebrated a memorial Mass for Father Sánchez on Oct. 18 at the same church. Members of the Salesian community remembered him for his pastoral dedication to young women and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. Father Sánchez, who was born in Cuenca, had previously served as a pastor at San Lorenzo de Vinces Parish.

AI-assisted briefing based on the sources below.

8 sources39 reports9 languages

Read it in Español · Français · English · Nederlands · Polski · Italiano · Deutsch · Slovenčina · Português

Read the source

Sources behind this story

More Catholic news

Earlier version, Tuesday 20 October

Redemptorist Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 53, struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass

Earlier version, Monday 19 October

Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari dies after crucifix falls on him during Mass

Earlier version, Monday 19 October

Crucifix falls on priest during Mass in Guayaquil, Ecuador

Earlier version, Monday 19 October

Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 53, dies after falling crucifix strikes him during Mass

Earlier version, Monday 19 October

Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 53, dies after being struck by falling crucifix during Mass

Earlier version, Monday 19 October

Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari killed by falling cross during Mass

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Oct 18, 8:36 AM Religión Digital Español Un sacerdote muere en Ecuador tras caerle una cruz en una misa transmitida en directo
  2. Oct 18, 9:43 PM Vida Nueva Español Tragedia en Guayaquil: un sacerdote muere al desprenderse una cruz en plena misa
  3. Oct 19, 1:11 AM cath.ch Français Un prêtre meurt en Equateur frappé par la chute d'une Croix
  4. Oct 19, 12:57 AM Alfa y Omega Español El padre Patricio Sánchez muere en Ecuador tras caerle una cruz en una Misa transmitida en directo
  5. Oct 19, 2:10 AM Catholic World News Priest in Ecuador dies after crucifix falls on him during livestreamed Mass (AP)
  6. Oct 19, 5:15 AM OSV News Priest in Ecuador, 53, struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass
  7. Oct 19, 6:39 AM Katholiek Nieuwsblad Nederlands Vallend kruisbeeld doodt pastoor in Ecuador – Is zoiets een goddelijk teken? Een priester legt uit
  8. Oct 19, 7:00 AM Catholic Review Priest in Ecuador, 53, struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass
  9. Oct 18, 9:30 PM Niedziela Polski Krzyż oderwał się ze ściany. Nie żyje kapłan
  10. Oct 19, 7:36 AM Stacja7 Polski Na księdza runął potężny krzyż. Nie przeżył. Tragedia podczas Mszy św.
  11. Oct 19, 10:09 AM National Catholic Reporter Priest in Ecuador, 53, struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass
  12. Oct 19, 10:40 AM Angelus News Priest in Ecuador dies after being struck by falling crucifix during Mass
  13. Oct 19, 10:13 AM The Leaven Priest in Ecuador, 53, struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass
  14. Oct 19, 10:00 AM The Catholic Spirit Priest in Ecuador, 53, struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass
  15. Oct 19, 4:50 AM The Catholic Sun Priest in Ecuador, 53, struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass
  16. Oct 19, 4:50 AM The Catholic Telegraph Priest in Ecuador, 53, struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass
  17. Oct 19, 7:26 AM America Priest in Ecuador struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass
  18. Oct 19, 1:25 AM Agenzia SIR Italiano La croce caduta e la pietà smarrita
  19. Oct 19, 12:00 PM CathNews Australia Priest in Ecuador killed by falling crucifix during Mass
  20. Oct 19, 1:03 AM DOMRADIO.DE Deutsch Tragischer Unfall / Priester in Ecuador während Gottesdienst von Holzkreuz erschlagen
  21. Oct 19, 10:38 AM Diocese of Port of Spain When the Crucifix Falls: Was It God’s Will or A Tragic Accident?
  22. Oct 18, 10:39 AM ACI Prensa Español Católicos en Ecuador lamentan la muerte de un sacerdote golpeado por una cruz durante la Misa
  23. Oct 18, 11:20 AM Religión Digital Español Ante la muerte del sacerdote Patricio Sánchez en Guayaquil
  24. Oct 17, 10:59 PM InfoVaticana Español Fallece el redentorista Patricio Sánchez tras el desplome de una cruz en plena misa
  25. Oct 19, 2:16 AM Niedziela Polski Śledztwo ws. śmierci księdza uderzonego przez krzyż podczas Mszy św.
  26. Oct 19, 2:30 AM Deon Polski Śmierć w trakcie Mszy świętej. Proboszcz zginął przy ołtarzu przygnieciony przez olbrzymi krzyż
  27. Oct 19, 4:28 AM Religión en Libertad Español El adiós al padre Patricio Sánchez «en el mismo lugar» donde le cayó la cruz en plena misa
  28. Oct 19, 8:26 AM Catholic News Agency Catholics in Ecuador mourn death of priest struck by falling crucifix during Mass
  29. Oct 19, 1:35 PM ACI Africa Catholics in Ecuador Mourn Death of Priest Struck by Falling Crucifix During Mass
  30. Oct 19, 8:42 AM National Catholic Register Catholics in Ecuador Mourn Death of Priest Struck by Falling Crucifix During Mass
  31. Oct 20, 2:51 AM TK KBS Slovenčina Katolíci v Ekvádore smútia nad kňazom, ktorého počas omše zasiahol kríž
  32. Oct 19, 3:18 PM The Catholic Weekly Priest in Ecuador, 53, struck and killed by falling crucifix during Mass
  33. Oct 19, 4:17 PM The Catholic Leader Catholics in Ecuador mourn death of priest struck by falling crucifix during Mass
  34. Oct 18, 11:38 PM ACI Digital Português Fiéis do Equador lamentam morte de padre atingido por cruz em missa
  35. Oct 20, 2:15 AM Famiglia Cristiana Italiano Ecuador, sacerdote muore durante la Messa schiacciato da una croce. Un mistero che lascia sgomenti
  36. Oct 20, 2:44 AM La Croix Français Prêtre mort après la chute d’un crucifix en Équateur, les fidèles cherchent un sens à ce drame
  37. Oct 20, 3:00 AM kath.net Deutsch Herabstürzendes Kruzifix tötet Priester während der Messe
  38. Oct 20, 7:12 AM Archdiocese of San Antonio Catholics in Ecuador mourn death of priest struck by falling crucifix during Mass
  39. Oct 19, 11:03 AM The Tablet Priest in Ecuador, 53, Struck and Killed by Falling Crucifix During Mass

More from the Archdiocese of Baltimore

  1. Oct 22, 2:31 PM PT · 57 sources Pope Leo XIV leads the Angelus
  2. Oct 22, 2:30 PM PT · 33 sources Pope Leo XIV needs no further treatment after lung cancer surgery
  3. Oct 22, 12:43 PM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV meets American Jewish Committee
  4. Oct 22, 11:50 AM PT · 7 sources Haitian Catholics in Philadelphia mark 50 years of faith
  5. Oct 22, 11:22 AM PT A mission-style home in Arlington becomes the headquarters for a global congregation
  6. Oct 22, 11:21 AM PT · 25 sources Pope Leo XIV invites youth to Seoul for World Youth Day 2027

More coverage of the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Discussion

Loading discussion…

Catholic News · Comments are signed by readers with a verified address.