Pope Leo XIV wanted to send a message of closeness and consolation to all those affected by the train tragedy that has shaken the town of Adamuz in Córdoba.
Deeply saddened to learn of the painful news of the train accident, which caused numerous deaths and injuries, the Holy Father offered prayers for the eternal repose of the deceased and expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families, along with words of consolation, lively solicitude and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured. He also encouraged the rescue teams to persevere in the work of relief and assistance, and imparted to all, through the intercession of Our Lady of the Pillar, the comforting Apostolic Blessing as a sign of hope in the Risen Lord.
The Catholic Church in Spain has also turned to prayer, accompaniment and material aid after what happened on Sunday afternoon in the municipality of Adamuz (Cordoba), where so far 39 deaths and 152 injured have been confirmed after the derailment and collision of two high-speed trains.
The incident occurred at around 19:45 hours, when three cars of a train of the company Iryo, which had left Malaga at 18:40 to Madrid-Puerta de Atocha and carrying 317 passengers, derailed and invaded the adjacent track. At the same time, a Renfe Alvia convoy, bound for Huelva, also derailed after the impact. As a result of the collision, at least two wagons fell down an embankment of about four meters, in an accident in which about 500 people were traveling between the two trains.
The parish of San Andrés de Adamuz, a refuge for those affected by the disaster
From the first hours after the tragedy, the parish of San Andres de Adamuz became a place of shelter and care for the survivors. According to the Diocese of Córdoba, the parish priest Rafael Prados, together with a group of parishioners, offered food, blankets, stoves and basic necessities to those affected.
Adamuz neighbors spontaneously came spontaneously with blankets, water, heaters, milk and hot coffee, given the possibility that many passengers would have to spend the night in the municipality. Likewise, the “Virgen del Sol” Romero Choir set up its headquarters as a logistic center for the preparation and distribution of food and hot drinks.
The Bishop of Cordoba
The bishop of Cordoba, Monsignor Jesús Fernández, contacted the parish priest on Sunday night to learn about the situation and to commend the victims and injured, asking that they “do not fail to receive the help, strength and consolation of the Lord in this moment of uncertainty and pain”.
Early on Monday, the prelate went personally to Adamuz, where he visited the area of the incident and made available all the resources of the diocese. During his stay he also visited the municipal pavilion and the pensioner's home, where the relatives were being attended by the emergency services and the Red Cross.
“Medical help is necessary, but also psychological and spiritual help, because in these situations we need to feel confidence and faith to help us get back on our feet and continue walking,” stressed Monsignor Fernandez.
Condolence messages from all over Spain
Since Sunday night, many Spanish bishops and dioceses have sent messages of condolence and prayers. The Secretary General of the Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE), Msgr. César García Magán, was one of the first to make a public statement: “Dismayed by the serious train accident in Adamuz. I pray for the eternal rest of the deceased and for the speedy recovery of the injured. I join in the grief of their families. I pray that they find in the Lord comfort and strength in these moments of so much suffering”.
On Monday morning, the EEC issued an official communiqué expressing its closeness to the victims and asking for prayers in all Christian celebrations. “May the Lord of life and peace grant the victims the gift of Life and their families hope and peace. To the Sorrowful Virgin, close to all anguish, we entrust so many suffering people,” the message concludes.
Cardinal José Cobo, Archbishop of Madrid; Archbishops José María Gil Tamayo (Granada) and José Ángel Saiz Meneses (Seville); Bishops Juan Carlos Elizalde (Vitoria), José Ignacio Munilla (Orihuela-Alicante), José Antonio Satué (Málaga) and Bishop Emeritus of Córdoba, Demetrio Fernández, among others, have also expressed their condolences. Several dioceses, such as Plasencia, Cartagena and Leon, have also issued statements of condolence.
The President of the EEC and Archbishop of Valladolid, Msgr. Luis Argüello, summarized the feelings of the Church with a message on social networks: “There are events in which the tragedy is so terrible that only silence, embrace, prayer and fraternal solidarity are possible”.
While the investigation and victim care efforts continue, the Church keeps its parishes, resources and prayers open, accompanying those who have lost loved ones and those struggling to recover after one of the biggest recent rail tragedies in Spain.
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