A priest passes away in an Ecuadorian church after a cross falls on his head (Video)

He was preaching to his congregation about the impermanence of life and the importance of dedicating time to God and loved ones. "One day we all die," he said, reminding them that time spent with family and God is more meaningful than money and daily chores.

However, no one thought that the words of Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, 52, would become the last sermon of his own life. This tragedy occurred on the night of Saturday, October 17, 2026, when a massive wooden cross behind him detached and fell on his head at the altar of the Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

This Holy Mass was being broadcast live through his social media accounts. About 27 minutes after the Mass began, as the priest finished his sermon and turned towards the congregation, the heavy wooden cross with the image of Christ behind him suddenly fell forward. The cross struck the priest's head, who had no premonition of the accident, causing him to fall out of the camera's view, and the cries of "Father! Father! Call an ambulance!" were heard through the live broadcast. These scenes were later removed from the internet, but parts of the incident circulated widely on social media. Although some reports indicated this was a preparation for a wedding, most sources refer to it as the Saturday evening Holy Mass.

The exact reason for the cross detaching from the church has not yet been revealed. It is still unclear whether it was a faulty installation, old age, or another cause, and the police have launched an investigation, treating it as an accidental death. According to current reports, no suspicion of criminal activity has arisen.

Father Patricio, a missionary of the Redemptorist order, was born on November 6, 1973, in Cuenca, Ecuador. Ordained as a priest on October 15, 2005, he ended his life's journey in the very week he celebrated the 21st anniversary of his priestly life. On October 16, the Archdiocese of Guayaquil had also extended its congratulations to him for this anniversary. Having served in the regions of Loja, Durán, Vinces, and Manta, especially close to the people in difficult rural areas, he was finally serving as the parish priest of this church belonging to the Archdiocese of Guayaquil.

He was very popular among the faithful due to his simple, calm, and fraternal demeanor. Working closely with the younger generation, he is still remembered by older communities as a kind priest who paid special attention to the sick.

Following this tragedy, Cardinal Luis Gerardo Cabrera Herrera, Archbishop of Guayaquil, issued a statement announcing that their beloved priest had been called to God's house. A special memorial Holy Mass was held on Sunday, October 18, with his body placed directly in front of the altar where the accident occurred. Auxiliary Bishop John Kwamevi Kudjo and others participated. At the request of family members, the body, which had been kept in the church until around 11:00 PM that night, was later transported to his hometown of Cuenca. From the afternoon of October 19, the body was laid to rest at Camposanto Santa Ana, with the final rites scheduled for the following day.

Even in the last moments of his life, the message he gave - that we all die one day, and therefore God should be given priority - has become even more meaningful with this unexpected event. That sudden farewell, which occurred in front of a live camera lens, ended by once again confirming the truth of his own final words.
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Here is the video of Ecuador