Church mobilises after deadly train crash

The Catholic Church in southern Spain has moved swiftly to support victims and families following a high-speed train accident in the province of Córdoba that has left dozens dead and many more injured.

The crash occurred on the evening of 18 January near the town of Adamuz, prompting an immediate emergency response and a wave of grief across the region. As Spain continues to absorb the scale of the tragedy, local Church leaders have focused on what they can offer in the first raw days: presence, prayer, and practical accompaniment for the bereaved.

Parishes and chaplaincy teams have been deployed to provide pastoral care in hospitals and to assist relatives gathering for news of loved ones. Clergy have also been made available for the sacraments, and local churches opened their doors to those seeking a place of silence and consolation. Catholics in the area have been encouraged to pray for the dead, for those recovering from injuries, and for rescue workers and medical staff.

The diocese has emphasised that the Church’s role in moments like this is to remain close to the suffering, to help carry shock and sorrow, and to remind communities that they are not alone. In the wake of the collision, calls have been made for solidarity with those directly affected, particularly families facing the immediate practical burdens of loss, travel, and uncertainty.

As investigations continue into what caused the derailment, Church officials have urged the faithful to resist the temptation to turn quickly to recrimination or political arguments, and instead to keep their attention fixed on the victims and those now entering a long period of grief and recovery.

In the coming days, memorial Masses are expected to be offered across the province, as the region begins the painful task of mourning and remembrance.