[Gocamino] USA Confraternity

[blaroli at aol.com]

Hi Jim,
"American Pilgrims on the Camino" is an non-profit association formed in San Francisco, I believe, for the purposes of providing information about the Camino, and support to past and potential pilgrims.? But it is not a Santiago Confraternity.
To become a Confraternity an association must apply for recognition by the Archconfraternity in Santiago; such recognition requires adherence to the rules established many years ago which include?counselar support by a priest and recognition by a Bishop?in the area where the Confraternity would be established. Once recognized, (the process may take years), a Confraternity becomes a member of the universal family of confraternities centered at the Archconfraternity in Santiago. Their activities, facilities, communication means and voice in the shaping of Camino actual maintenance and future plans are far too numerous to be cited here.... but, I think, they are wonderful.? I have never, ever, heard of a Confraternity that has not felt that the requirements of becoming one have not been worth it.
The Catholic population in the United States is now larger than the entire population of Italy.? The Catholic members in the U.S. Congress form, by far, the largest identifiable group.? Five of the nine U.S. Supreme Court judges are Catholic.... yet, there seems to be some "political correctness" resistance to forming a Confraternity in the U.S. because of its Catholic connotation (whereas, in fact, they are pretty ecumenical and do not, in the least proselytize) even although the largest number of Santiago pilgrims from the American continent, by far, are from the USA.
It sure beats me!
I hope this answers your question somewhat.
Hugs!
Rosina


[ I ask the list's indulgence:  I read the digest version of posts, so
my questions may have already been asked and answered far more
eloquently that I now ask; my impatience in not waiting for those more





ask the list's indulgence:  I read the digest version of posts, so
my questions may have already been asked and answered far more
eloquently that I now ask; my impatience in not waiting for those more
cogent replies is a weakness. ]

Recently Rosina said:
The Galicians in New Jersey have begun the process of commencing a
Santiago Confraternity.? While there are hundreds of Confraternities
all over the world, the U.S.A. is the only country in America without
one. (Some, like Brasil and Argentina and Mexico have several). There
was an attempt to form one in San Franciso a couple of years ago, but
the effort was abandoned.? The New York Brasilians have formed one,
but as ancillary to one based in their own country.? The one planned
by the New Jersey Galicians will be, if achieved, the first Santiago
Confraternity wholly established in the country.
At any rate, I know that most of you have zillions of questions about
details of the Camino activities as viewed by the powers that be in
Santiago.? You may want to put them together and when the young women
are here we can ask them about everything to our hearts content.



I am curious about this for many reasons, but I am also confused.
Perhaps this is because I am ignorant of so many things Camino.  There
is at least one American (USA) camino association:    "American
Pilgrims on the Camino"  http://www.americanpilgrims.com/
I understand that 'Confraternity' is not part of the organization's
name.  Is there some specific criteria by which you mean
Confraternity, other than name?

Kind regards,
Jim Greer
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