The Church accompanies wildfire victims across southern Europe - Vatican News
Emily Johnson ·
· News about the Church
As wildfires sweep across southern Europe, the Church in France, Spain, and Greece accompanies those who have lost homes and livelihoods. In Gironde, 220,000 evacuated; near Madrid, 75,000 displaced. Church communities provide food, shelter, and psychological support, with Caritas workers listening to survivors’ fears. Father Le Lay compares the trauma to bereavement, emphasizing presence and closeness. In Greece, fires in Crete and Lesvos have killed three firefighters and forced further evacuations. The longer-term challenge is rebuilding homes and community ties.