Religious accidents involving falling crosses reported in Ecuador and Colombia

Two separate incidents involving heavy ornamental crosses falling on priests have been reported in South America.

In Guayaquil, Ecuador, a priest from the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer died after a large crucifix fell from a wall and struck him in the head during a live-streamed mass at the Parroquia del Perpetuo Socorro. Despite attempts to provide first aid and efforts to transport him to a nearby hospital, the priest passed away at the pulpit.

In a separate incident in Colombia, a priest survived after a heavy ornamental cross detached from the top of an altar and struck him during a liturgical ceremony. Unlike the fatal event in Ecuador, the Colombian priest reportedly sustained only minor injuries. The footage of the Colombian incident has prompted calls on social media for ecclesiastical authorities to conduct urgent technical inspections of religious structures to ensure safety.