World
Ecuadorian priest dies after wooden cross falls on him during live-streamed Mass
October 18, 2026 at 03:29 PM
Coverage
2 reports · over 2 hours
A large wooden cross fell on Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari during a live-streamed Mass in Guayaquil, killing him on October 17.
- The incident occurred at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city, where Sánchez Molinari served as parish priest.
- The cross fell roughly 27 minutes into the broadcast, and attendees rushed to help the priest afterward, as the live-streamed footage showed.
- The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed Sánchez Molinari's death in an obituary and expressed solidarity with his religious family, relatives, and friends.
- Officials have not announced why the cross detached or whether the priest died at the scene or after receiving medical care.

