Ecuador Priest Dies After Crucifix Falls During Mass in Guayaquil

A Roman Catholic parish priest in Ecuador died on Saturday, Oct. 17, after a crucifix fell on him during an evening Mass in Guayaquil.

The Rev. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari was celebrating Mass at the Nuestra Señora del Perpetuo Socorro church in southern Guayaquil, in southwestern Ecuador, when the cross fell, according to The Associated Press. The service was being livestreamed, NBC San Diego reported.

The cross, described as a large wooden cross, struck the priest on the head during the Mass, El Universo reported. The church is in the southern part of the port city.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil, the Catholic district that includes the parish, announced his death, NBC News reported.

A memorial Mass for Father Sánchez was scheduled for Sunday at 21:00 in southern Guayaquil, one day after his death.