Guayaquil priest dies after wooden cross falls during mass

Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, a 52-year-old priest, died following an accident at the Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro church in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The incident occurred on Saturday, October 17, 2026, while the priest was celebrating the Eucharist.

A large wooden cross positioned behind the altar detached and fell on him during the ceremony, which was being broadcast live on digital platforms. Witnesses at the scene attempted to provide aid, but the priest succumbed to his injuries. One witness reported that emergency services arrived approximately 30 minutes later, by which time he had already passed away.

While initial police reports suggest the death was accidental, the family of the deceased is calling for a formal investigation to determine if installation defects or a lack of maintenance contributed to the collapse. One witness suggested a bolt securing the structure to the wall may have loosened, though technical conclusions are still pending. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil is expected to conduct a technical evaluation to establish the official cause of the accident.