A Catholic community in Guayaquil, Ecuador, is mourning Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari after a large wooden crucifix fell on him during a livestreamed Mass on Saturday, October 17.

The incident happened at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, where he served as parish priest. Worshippers rushed forward to help and called for emergency assistance after the crucifix detached from the wall behind the altar. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil subsequently confirmed his death.

Earlier in the service, Sánchez Molinari had reflected on how people spend their lives. According to the New York Post, his sermon encouraged the congregation to make time for God and loved ones, emphasizing the value of relationships and faith amid everyday distractions. His reflections on mortality have drawn particular attention following the accident.

Sánchez Molinari belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, commonly known as the Redemptorists. Following his death, church leaders expressed their condolences, while friends and members of the Catholic community shared messages remembering his ministry and dedication to parish life.

In its announcement, the archdiocese paid tribute to his service at the parish and offered prayers for his eternal rest. The statement did not specify whether he died at the church or after receiving medical attention.

The circumstances behind the crucifix’s fall remain unclear. The reports reviewed provide no confirmed explanation for why it came away from the wall.