The incident occurred on Saturday during a religious service being livestreamed on social media, according to reports by the Associated Press (AP) and Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo.
Sánchez Molinari was at the altar when the cross mounted on the wall behind him reportedly became detached and struck him on the head.
Footage from the livestream showed the heavy crucifix falling onto the priest as he conducted the service. According to the AP, the priest did not appear to notice the cross as it fell, while worshippers could be heard calling for help.
The incident was captured on camera because the Mass was being broadcast online.
Reports said members of the congregation immediately rushed to assist the priest and desperately called for an ambulance following the accident.
In its report published on Sunday, El Universo described the incident as the death of a priest after a huge wooden cross fell on his head while he was celebrating Mass.
The newspaper reported that the cross, which was suspended above the altar, became detached during a prayer.
The Archdiocese of Guayaquil subsequently confirmed Sánchez Molinari’s death, identifying him as a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists, a Roman Catholic religious order.
The congregation, founded in 1732, has a presence in several countries around the world.
Following the tragedy, the Archdiocese expressed its condolences and solidarity with the Redemptorist community, as well as the deceased priest’s family and friends.
Sánchez Molinari had previously served for several years at San Lorenzo de Vinces parish, according to El Universo. The parish also joined others in mourning his death.
The circumstances that caused the wooden cross to detach from the wall had not been officially established in the reports available at the time of publication.
The Associated Press reported that local authorities had not issued a comment on the incident.
The priest’s death has drawn attention to the dangers posed by falling objects in places of worship, particularly after the incident was captured during a livestreamed religious service.
Further details about the circumstances surrounding the accident and any investigation into the structural mounting of the cross were not immediately available.
