Sunday, October 18, 2026

Catholic priest dies after Jesus’ statue falls on him during service 

Mr Molinari was being live-streamed when the incident occurred on Saturday.

• October 18, 2026

A Catholic priest, identified as Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, has died after a crucifix fell on him while he was celebrating Mass in Ecuador.

Mr Molinari was being live-streamed when the incident occurred on Saturday.

Footage widely shared on social media showed the priest addressing his congregation in Guayaquil before the crucifix fell on him.

In a social media post on Sunday, the Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed the death of Mr Molinari.

“We announce that our beloved Fr. Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari, CSsR., who served as parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in the Central Vicariate, has departed for the Father’s House to rejoice in His presence and glory.”

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.”

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Nigerian Bar Association

States

Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Residents fetching water from taps

States

Lagos water network serves only 1.03% of 20 million residents: LWC

Mr Anifowoshe said the corporation had an installed water production capacity of about 210 million gallons per day (MGD).

Heading 5

Catholic priest dies after Jesus’ statue falls on him during service 

Mr Molinari was being live-streamed when the incident occurred on Saturday.

States

Kebbi governor’s aide empowers 400 residents in Zuru

Beneficiaries were given cash ranging from N10,000 to N20,000.

Uba Sani

States

I’ve paid over N7 billion as compensation to property owners: Gov Sani 

The governor commended the owners of the 865 affected households.

Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture (LSCAC)

Heading 5

Lagos strengthens culture, youth engagement to boost creative economy

According to Mr Johnson, the government was encouraging young people to develop their creative skills.

Oludare Ogunjobi

States

Ogun FRSC commander dies after brief illness

He described Mr Ogunjobi’s death as a great loss to the corps.