SW News: A Christian movement in Spain has extended a helping hand to a parish church on the Canary Island of La Palma that was damaged in a volcanic eruption in September. The Cursillos de Cristiandad, a Christian institution, has raised 24,295.90 euros through the De Colores con La Palma initiative that was undertaken across the country.

The amount was handed over to Fr. Alberto Hernández, the parish priest of St Pius X church on La Palma that was damaged by molten lava. During the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano, the belfry of the church collapsed, which forced police officials to cordon off the area. Dozens of houses and hundreds of acres of farmland were destroyed by the lava. Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate their homes.

Before the lava engulfed the church, Fr. Hernández was able to take the statue of St. Pius X, sacred objects, and liturgical items to a safer location. Maria Immaculada Perez, the president of the diocesan secretariat of Tenerife under which are the Canary Islands congratulated the Cursillos de Cristiandad Movement for their solidarity and generosity towards the Church.

The local branch of Caritas in the Diocese of Tenerife has been providing victims with relief and essential things. Through their initiative, 'Every gesture counts', they have been catering to the needs of the residents of La Palma. Cursillos de Cristiandad is an ecclesial initiative that originated in Spain in the mid-1940s. The movement was praised by Saint John Paul II, who said that the movement is "an instrument raised by God for the proclamation of the Gospel in our time."