Some obtain the Compostela without walking the Camino

The Archdiocese of Santiago has recently become aware of a practice involving the sale of Camino de Santiago credentials, already stamped with all the required seals, for 30 euros to people who have not walked a single kilometer of the route. Since the holder’s details are left blank, anyone can fill in their name and go to the Oficina del Peregrino (Pilgrim Reception Point, in Santiago) to obtain the Compostela without making any effort.

This practice, exposed on social media, has reached the Archdiocese, which considers it a “fraud by the seller but, above all, by the buyer.” They argue that it is absurd to resort to such schemes to obtain a Compostela, which “grants no rights and brings no reward.” They further question: “What is the point of bragging about having walked if you didn’t? And what is the value of having the Compostela if you didn’t experience the Camino?”

The Archdiocese emphasizes that along the Jacobean routes, pilgrims can stamp their credentials in various places, not only in parishes. They urge individuals at these locations to remain vigilant and avoid stamping credentials that do not have the holder’s details filled in. The issue, however, is that in most locations, the stamp is left available for pilgrims to use themselves.

“It’s clear they’ve found a business niche. Necessity sharpens ingenuity,” they acknowledge at the Archdiocese. They admit that it is “impossible” to control this “cunning practice” because when arriving at the Oficina del Peregrino, “there is no way to verify if the Camino was completed.” Additionally, there is no need to register beforehand to obtain a credential or to begin the route. They remind that the Camino is based on “trust. Those who buy it are deceiving themselves.”

This practice was publicly denounced on Facebook by staff at an information point in Lalín. They claim that this week they received eight individuals – five men and three women – who posed as Camino guides. Their credentials were not stamped. They assert that credentials are being sold on websites and in Praza do Obradoiro.

Source: La Voz de Galicia