‘We all will die one day’: Ecuador priest dies after crucifix falls on him during sermon

In a tragic incident, a priest in an Ecuador church died on live camera during a sermon. Ironically, he was talking about life and death at the time when a crucifix fell on his head. The incident happened at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Guayaquil, a coastal city in southwestern Ecuador, about 265 km from the capital, Quito on Saturday, October 17. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed Sánchez's death, saying that first responders arrived promptly but were unable to save him.

Roman Catholic priest Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was speaking to worshippers about the importance of spending time with God and loved ones when the crucifix detached from the wall behind him and struck the back of his head. The whole incident also got recorded as the sermon was being livestreamed at that time. A footage of the incident was obtained by NBC News showed the large crucifix falling forward as Sánchez addressed the congregation. He appeared unaware of the object falling behind him before it struck him.

According to reports, worshippers immediately rushed to help the priest as cries for medical assistance were heard. “Father, Father! Call an ambulance!” people could be heard shouting, according to The Independent. The broadcast continued briefly before cutting out, and the video was subsequently taken down.



Emergency responders arrived at the church, but Sánchez was pronounced dead at the scene. Local authorities had not publicly commented on the circumstances surrounding the incident in the reports available.

What the priest said moments before his death

In his final sermon, Sánchez spoke about mortality, faith and the importance of spending meaningful time with loved ones rather than wasting hours scrolling on mobile phones, the New York Post reported. “One day, all of us here will also die, and sometimes the time we’ve spent on things doesn’t have as much meaning as the time we spend with God,” he told the congregation.

He also emphasised the importance of nurturing relationships with family members and loved ones. “The quality time we give to God, to our brothers and sisters, to our husbands, wives, children, and family— that time is the best spent,” he said.

According to the newspaper, Sánchez was beginning another prayer and asking God to bless the congregation when the crucifix fell on him. His words about the fleeting nature of life took on a tragic significance following the incident.

Church mourns the priest's death

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil announced Sánchez's death in a statement expressing grief over the loss of the parish priest. “He has left to the House of the Father to enjoy his presence and glory,” the archdiocese said.

Sánchez belonged to the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists, a Roman Catholic religious order founded in 1732 that serves communities around the world.

His death has left the parish community mourning a priest whose final sermon focused on faith, family and making meaningful use of time.

The circumstances surrounding the crucifix's fall had not been fully established in the reports available.