10th November 2026

At least 13 people died when a boat carrying migrants sank off the Greek island of Crete yesterday. 18 people, all Sudanese nationals were rescued of which four survivors, including a toddler, were taken to hospital. Authorities understand that the boat had spent several days at sea, with strong winds hampering its attempts to reach shore. Crete is a key gateway for migrants travelling to Europe from the Middle East and North Africa. Of the 86,400 sea arrivals so far this year, more than 22,000 landed on Crete with at least 1,700 arriving in the first three days of November.

At least 39 people died after a boat carrying migrants, heading for Europe via the Canary Islands, sank off the coast of Senegal. Spanish migrant rights group Walking Borders estimates that for every 100 people who reach the Canary Islands by sea, 21 die during the crossing.  According to the island authorities over 3,300 people have reached the island in about 30 boats since the beginning of November.

Fourteen people were charged yesterday in Texas USA, in a human smuggling case involving the deaths of seven migrants who were shut inside a shipping container on a freight train. The container was stacked on top of another and had no ventilation or cooling system. The people inside could not open the door. Outside temperatures exceeded 30C.

God of love, creator of every human being, we cannot begin to imagine the lives of people who consider the risk of irregular migration a way to a better life. Forgive us that we have created situations where people are born into poverty, war or conflict, and live lives of precarity and destitution every day.  Forgive us that we have caused a climate crisis that is destroying people's homes and livelihoods through extreme flooding, drought, hurricanes and heat.  Look with mercy on those who risk their lives to escape a life of misery, impoverishment, threat or fear and make dangerous journeys seeking safety, security and new opportunities.  Bless those who work to bring them relief; inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts; and guide the nations of nations to address all that forcibly displaces people from their homes.  We look towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

Sister Annie Demerjian, of the Congregation of Religious of Jesus and Mary, will be presented with Aid to the Church in Need's (ACN) Courage to Be Christian Award at #RedWednesday Mass at St George's Cathedral, Southwark, on Wednesday, 18th November at 6pm. Annie has been at the forefront of humanitarian and pastoral outreach in Syria, focusing on Aleppo and Damascus providing emergency aid, food, medicine and spiritual support to communities devastated by conflict. Despite the dangers, she continued serving families, elderly people and vulnerable Christians, becoming a symbol of hope and resilience for many living through the conflict. She has helped deliver essential supplies to struggling families and spearheaded initiatives to support children and young people affected by trauma, including art and music therapy programmes, youth projects and small-scale economic initiatives aimed at helping families rebuild their lives and withstand ongoing hardship.

Loving God

how marvellous you have been to us.

How wonderful you have been to us.

You have blessed us.

You have given us a world full of life and colour.

You have provided for our earthly needs.

Through the sending of your son, Jesus Christ,

and by his death and resurrection,

you have provided for our eternal life.

We give you thanks and praise.

We glorify your Holy name.

We praise you for your Holy Spirit

at work in the Church and in the world.

We thank you that you show us

how to live together as your people.

We thank you that when we fail, you forgive.

All blessing and honour

and glory and power

be yours for ever.

Amen.