Catholic churches offer refuge as wildfires spread across southern Europe

As wildfires force hundreds of thousands from their homes across southern Europe, Catholic churches are opening their doors to offer shelter, assistance, and pastoral care.

France, Spain, and Greece are among the countries affected, Vatican News reported July 30.

The French Bishops’ Conference issued a July 28 statement urging Catholics, parishes, and local communities to support those displaced by the fires.

“We invite Catholics to generously participate in the growing solidarity efforts,” the statement read. “We encourage parishes to keep their churches open whenever possible: many offer a welcome respite from the summer heat.”

The bishops added that parish halls could serve as places of refuge, providing displaced residents with rest, comfort, and needed assistance.

In France, extreme heat, drought, and strong winds have fueled the fires, according to AP News. More than 220,000 people were evacuated last week from the Gironde region in southwestern France, where the country’s largest blaze has burned homes and vast stretches of forest. The outlet reported that the fire has spread across an area four times the size of Paris.

Among those accompanying the displaced is Father Clément Barré, pastor of Saint-Joseph-des-Jalles Parish near Bordeaux. He has offered evacuees prayer, conversation, and pastoral care, Global Catholic reported.

On July 26, Father Barré celebrated Mass for displaced communities at Saint-André Cathedral in Bordeaux, encouraging those gathered to place their trust in the Lord.

“My central message was this,” he said, “Let us ask the Lord not to change these times, but to change our hearts.”

Church communities in France and Spain are also providing food, shelter, and psychological assistance, according to Vatican News. Workers with Cáritas, a network of Catholic charitable organizations, are offering support to survivors facing uncertainty about whether they will be able to return home.

The fires have also spread eastward into Greece, where three firefighters were killed July 29. Strong winds have driven major fires across Crete and Lesvos, forcing hundreds of residents and tourists to evacuate as flames damage homes and farmland, Vatican News reported.

Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to those affected during his July 26 Angelus address, inviting the faithful to pray for the victims and those working to protect them. 

“As devastating wildfires affect the various regions of France and Spain,” the Pope said, “I express my closeness to all those who have been affected and invite everyone to pray for them and for the emergency personnel engaged in relief efforts.”