You will have seen, or are effected by, the dreadful wildfires spreading over much of Europe at the moment.  Our chaplaincy of Costa Almeria & Costa Calida was directly effected over the weekend.  From there the Chaplain, Father Denis Bradshaw, shares an update with us:

 

'Some of our people had been evacuated, but now allowed back in their homes, but on alert as the fire could easily start up again. The fires came very close to where I live in Turre - the next village from Los Garlados, and we watched with horror as the winds picked up, fuelling the fire even more. At the moment the fires seem to be under control, but now the air is filled with the acrid smell of burning.

 

Many people, whose houses were not burned down, can't go home, as they have no electricity or water as the power lines were cut or the posts that held up the power lines were burnt down.  As I write this, I can still see and hear helicopters in the air, and so presumably still fighting the fires.

 

There are still a number of people missing and it has been the highest death toll for wildfires in Andalusia.

 

Prayers please for all who have been affected, especially those unable to return home, and for those still missing, as well as for the souls of those who lost their lives.'

 

Let us join together in prayer as Father Denis asks and that the love of God is felt by all who are effected by these wildfires.