The unicyclist

[Paul Newfield]

BRAVO..!!


Paul Newfield    <pcn01awebdsi.com>
  <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~brasscannon>

  Subject: The unicyclist


  Hello,
  There is more information on the fellow who covered the Camino on a unicycle and was refused the Compostela.  
  His name is Rodrigo Racy and he is a Brazilian actor and tourism agent, from Sao Paulo. 
  In an interview reported in "O Jornal de Brasil" he said that he had gone to the Camino both as a homage to his grandmother and to gain a place in the Guinness book of records as the first person to traverse the French Camino on a unicycle.  He also wanted to surpass the Guinness record of the most kilometers traveled in a day on a unicycle (presently fifty-four).
  He, a photographer, and another person videotaping his effort started out in SJPP, and, including the segments where he had to carry the unicycle because of steep ascents, traveled 800 kms and filled out two credentials with seals from the sites they traversed.
  Speaking about the refusal to grant a Compostela, Fr J.J. Cabrian, director of the Sociology office of the Santiago Archdiocese said:
  "The Compostla is meant for those who make the pilgrimage with religious or spiritual motives.  Some (so-called pilgrims) try to deceive us, and some have been able to do so. But in this case we knew that the young man had motives other that the search for God."  "If some do deceive us, I do not know what moral value can the Compostela hold for them; we are determined to avoid the secularization of the Camino. Pilgrims of yore only came to Santiago with Christian sentiments.  The spiritual essence of the Camino must be protected; it is not a hike, it is not tourism and it is not a game."
  Rodrigo Racy has apologized to the Archdiocese and expressed his intention to make the pilgrimage next year, on foot.
  Regards,
  Rosina

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