Catholic Educator Raül Adames Dies in Andorra Van-Bus Crash

Raül Adames García, a 47-year-old Catholic educator and biologist, died on Friday, 2 January, from injuries sustained when the Mercedes van he was driving collided with a stationary bus unloading passengers on the CG-2 road at Incles, near the Hotel Euroski. The vehicle became embedded under the bus's rear. His wife, the sole other occupant, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to hospital.

Adames, born in 1977, directed Barcelona's Abat Oliba Loreto school since 2011 and led the Catholic Education Secretariat for the Archdiocese of Barcelona. He also served on the Interdiocesan Secretariat for Religious Education in Catalonia and held a senior role in the CEU group's schools until last December. A University of Barcelona and Complutense University of Madrid graduate, he began teaching in 2001 at Viaró Global School. He gained recognition for advancing religion teacher training, school-parish collaborations, and ties with education authorities in Catalonia and Spain.

The family, including their four children and at least one other couple, had travelled to Andorra for a holiday break—a frequent destination for Adames. The children were informed shortly after the incident.

An autopsy on Monday enabled the completion of forensic and administrative processes, allowing transfer of his remains to the Cerdanyola del Vallès funeral home at Carrer dels Boters 18. A vigil began there on Tuesday from 4pm to 8pm and continued Wednesday morning from around 9:30am to 10:45am. The funeral mass took place on Wednesday, 7 January, at noon in the Sant Cugat del Vallès monastery church.

Sant Cugat del Vallès observed days of mourning, with support from the Valls Archpresbyterate and religious figures connected to the Urgell diocese. The Archdiocese of Barcelona and Abat Oliba Loreto expressed gratitude for messages of support and requested prayers. Authorities have not released details on the crash's cause.