[Gocamino] News from Santiago

[blaroli at aol.com]

Hello you all,

 Probably the most troubling news that I learned about during my visit to Santiago last week concerns fake pilgrims and the problems that they represent, which are much, much worse than we could have imagined, and which explain some of the actions undertaken regarding pilgrims credentials, two seals per locality etc.

It turns out that there has been an alarming number of unscrupulous “travel agents” who have actually “sold” the Camino to bus tourists guaranteeing lodging at the albergues and even a Compostela. Some of them have even charged extra for the Botafumeiro “show”.

Many and repeated instances of bare-faced attempts to bribe hospitaleros in order to obtain beds for groups of more than ten people have been reported top the Xunta and to the Archdiocese, and dozens and dozens of “turigrinos” who paid extra for the Botafumeiro  and didn’t get to see it complained loudly and disorderly at the Cathedral itself.

Disagreeable and nerve-racking confrontations between hospitaleros and fake-pilgrims and their “leaders” have been alarming, and the array of fake “credentials” is mind-boggling.

Because of this, the powers-that-be (Xunta, Archdiocese and Xacobean activities’ groups) have published a solicitation of offers from private organizations to manage the net of public albergues on the Camino. Those interested will have to submit a proposal detailing the precise activities intended to be put in place to: a) insure the pilgrim bona-fides of those seeking a place in the albergues; b) to provide assistance to pilgrims as needed; c) to take care of the cleaning and maintenance of the albergues, and, d) to safeguard and deposit the 3 Euros per night which, commencing on January 1, 2008, pilgrims will be required to contribute.

Somehow a yearly budget of 2.3 million Euros has been estimated for the purpose.

Other albergues will continue their own practices and charges.  Roncesvalles, for instance, requires a contribution of 5 Euros per night, and the majority of albergues maintained by religious orders will continue their practice of making pilgrims’ contributions entirely voluntary.

 

Also, pursuant to some of the suggestions made by pilgrims, several changes will take place beginning next year: 

The informational pamphlet regarding activities and services available to pilgrims, presently available only in Spanish,   will be translated into English, German, Italian Portuguese and French, and will be given to pilgrims as they receive  the Compostela, or certificate, in accordance to their language,  

The current pamphlet informs about the Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 9:00 p.m. Pilgrims reunion at the Cathedral; about the “Santiago Sepulcher in History” conferences; about the informal “dialogue” meetings with pilgrims and about the “Spirituality” meetings at the church of Saint Francis at 4:30 p.m.

 

While logistically it is not practical to call on the pilgrims separately at Mass according to their nationalities, they will be asked to stand, as a group, at the beginning of the Pilgrims Mass to be recognized and saluted.

 

(continued)

 

     

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