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I hope I read all this correctly, please correct me if I have misread this...
My credencial was issued by the Confraternity of Saint James in London.
For a number of reasons I am walking my Camino over several years. I already have stamps from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Puente la Reina.
Does this mean this credencial will be invalid if I continue to use it until I arrive in Santiago de Compostela in 5-6 years time?
I missed this when I read it the first time... so it seems that it will be more or less "as it is today". Sorry for creating this confusion. Will try to confirm all this with the pilgrims office."Las instituciones extranjeras se regirán por un acuerdo especial." "Foreign institutions (St. James Confraternities etc.) are treated by a special agreement."
I think you are right... will try to confirm this.It sounds from the announcement like only the credentials issued by foreign associations are eligible for an individual determination, so my bet is that APOC and Confraternity credentials, etc, are safe.
So the Camino is commercial not about the walk. Why shouldn't someone be able to walk the way and collect the stamps on whatever document they like so long as it shows they walked past all the required locations? the more I read about the Camino the more I tend to think that it is another human controlled thing that is there to benefit people who want to feel some power. Because otherwise any evidence of walking would be accepted (e.g. The dual Camino passport that you can get when you walk Kumano Kodo in Japan).
SJ... my understanding after reading Ivar's post is that the credential HAS to be issued at the Cathedral in Santiago. If that's the case... EVERYONE's got to come to Santiago just to get their credentials. I hope to do the CF again next year and the Silver way as well. If I make it, coming to Santiago just for the credentials isn't very sensible.... would u agree? Buen CaminoIf you start further on, like in Le Puy, you still can, and most likely need to, pick up an official Credencial on the way in Spain. And in this last credencial is penciled in your original starting point. This new regulation is predominantly, as I understand it, aimed at people that try to make money by selling pilgrims fancy credenciales in Spain. Buen Camino, SY
SJ... my understanding after reading Ivar's post is that the credential HAS to be issued at the Cathedral in Santiago. If that's the case... EVERYONE's got to come to Santiago just to get their credentials. I hope to do the CF again next year and the Silver way as well. If I make it, coming to Santiago just for the credentials isn't very sensible.... would u agree? Buen Camino
It sounds from the announcement like only the credentials issued by foreign associations are eligible for an individual determination, so my bet is that APOC and Confraternity credentials, etc, are safe. But there is no mention of those issued by groups inside Spain, so maybe that has yet to be decided or maybe it has been decided adversely to those groups.
the credential HAS to be issued at the Cathedral in Santiago.
If people are beginning in Sarria, but are flying IN to Santiago, where can they go to get their credential, the Pilgrim Office?
From the forum shop here or their own pilgrims associations. Really, calm down people, it really hasn't changed much. What this new regulation does is ostracising credenciales created by people that have little connection to the Camino but a huge desire to make a quick buck. Buen Camino, SY
I think this is a most unkind interpretation of what is happening here. I have read a translation of the page, and I do not detect any motivation in this than ensuring that pilgrims don't get ripped off by re-sellers marking up the credential.I just think that this looks like a really great excuse to make money.
I'm also calm. I just think that this looks like a really great excuse to make money. I honestly believe you should be able to use any piece of paper you choose to show the stamps, including a travel journal, post cards, guide book etc. Any document containing all the stamps that clearly shows you walked the Way should be sufficient. And this will also reduce the issue of scammers.
My question is not based on not wanting to spend the money. But it is based on first principles - why charge for an official stamp book? Why not allow walkers to determine how they record the stamps to prove they walked? Why require an official document at all? The need for an official document is exactly what causes people to be ripped off in the first place because it opens the economic opportunity. Do like they do in many parts of the world where scammers are at play - clearly advertise that no official document is required by putting up signs at common starting points (like they do at temples in Thailand notifying people that there is no entry fee and not to pay "tour guides").
I don't care about purchasing a credential. I do, however, still question why an official credential is required when stamps could just as easily be collected in almost any other format like a guide book, travel diary, personally designed document. But hey ... I'm probably just a trouble maker ...
I agree Laurie - it definitely is of a lesser quality than the one I obtained from the Amigos in Seville back in 2013 where the longer route requires more stamps. I would suggest that a similar situation would apply to those who complete their Camino over a number of years - unless you acquire some sort of plastic wallet to keep it "clean". CheersIt sounds from the announcement like only the credentials issued by foreign associations are eligible for an individual determination, so my bet is that APOC and Confraternity credentials, etc, are safe. But there is no mention of those issued by groups inside Spain, so maybe that has yet to be decided or maybe it has been decided adversely to those groups.
My only complaint about the credential currently issued by the cathedral is that it is made of very low quality paper, making it very hard to keep it in good condition for the duration of a long camino.
I agree with you, Doug. Really, folks---El Camino is situated in Spain. Let's let them get things sorted out, and wait for clarification from Ivar. Also, I had several friends on El Camino de Santiago who collected sellos (stamps) in their personal journals--as well as in the credential. Let's appreciate and await--no hurry and no need to fret.I think this is a most unkind interpretation of what is happening here. I have read a translation of the page, and I do not detect any motivation in this than ensuring that pilgrims don't get ripped off by re-sellers marking up the credential.
The text actually states that:I hope I read all this correctly, please correct me if I have misread this...
I do, however, still question why an official credential is required
So Ivar does this mean that the passports I ordered from the forum will be unacceptable.UPDATE: This might not be as bad as i first thought. Will ask at the pilgrims office.
Dear all,
I just saw this was posted by the Cathedral on their site:
http://catedraldesantiago.es/es/nota-credencial-peregrino-dic15
It is a long text in Spanish, but the core of it all is this paragraph:
Con el objeto de evitar perjuicios a todas aquellas entidades que están expidiendo credenciales se les concede una moratoria para que puedan utilizar las mismas: hasta el primero de abril de 2016. A partir de esa fecha sólo se admitirán para expedir la "Compostela", las credenciales oficiales de la Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino.
Starting April 1st 2016 compostelas will only be given to pilgrims that does present the official pilgrim passport (credential) issued by the cathedral of Santiago.
It is also mention earlier in the text that the price charged for this credential should not be more than €2,-. For those that already sell the cathedral credential, like the Forum Shop.
I hope I read all this correctly, please correct me if I have misread this...
Greetings from Santiago,
Ivar
So Ivar does this mean that the passports I ordered from the forum will be unacceptable.
The credential does two things - the important one not mentioned so far is that it gives you access to albergues. I haven't tried accessing these without a credential, so I am not sure what would happen, but I am sure there are some people who would want you to establish your bona fides as a pilgrim, and the credential does that.But why require an official credential in the first place? That's the point I am getting at. Surely if the point is to show that you walked the Way then the stamps should be sufficient.
But what would I know? I am walking this winter for what will be my one and only Camino because it is just one of the many thousands of life experiences I want to enjoy. So I am no expert. I am just someone asking what I believe is a legitimate question
My understanding is that it doesn't have to be issued at the Cathedral of Santiago but by the Cathedral of Santiago.
the important one not mentioned so far is that it gives you access to albergues. I haven't tried accessing these without a credential, so I am not sure what would happen
I will continue this year to use the credential that I got in St. Jean Pied du Port in 2012. ... Unfortunately during last June I had to return home with my granddaughter ... So I will not qualify for the long distance Compstela which I had been looking forward to receiving. ...
I have a question. I purchased my 2016 Guide Book and credencial from the Forum store in late November. Now I've been hearing that it needs to be issued within 3 months of my starting the Camino and I begin in March. I've taken a look at it and I see no dates but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't working with a bum credencial!
So, if I understand the totality of this thread, a credential issued by APOC is acceptable. I am wondering, since a credential is required to stay in an Albergue, if someone using a "non sanctioned" credential will they be accepted at an Albergue?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All.
Joe
Google AFOTC [Australian Friends of the Camino] and follow the cues to get an authentic Aussie credential.Your local, Australian Pilgrim Association will have appropriate credentials to issue. There was a lot of confusion about this issue earlier.
The bottom line is that the usual affiliated pilgrim groups around the world continue to issue valid credentials to their members. Alternatively, you obtain one at the pilgrim office or church at your starting point, e.g. the SJPdP Pilgrim Office, Cathedrals along the Way, or the TI or Pilgrim Office at Sarria.
It is not a problem. The issue was that more and more commercial enterprises were generating "their" versions of a credential and selling them at some profit. The "authentic" Pilgrim Credential is rather basic, and is usually available either for free, by donation, or at cost.
Ivar sells the exact credencial also sold at the Santiago Pilgrim Office through this Forum and he will mail internationally. So, if coming from Australia, mu recommendation would be (1) seek it from the Australian Pilgrim Association (someone please contribute the appropriate title and contact information here); (2) wait to obtain it on arrival at your starting point; or, (3) if you have time, stroll through Ivar's online offerings - in the Store. He operates at cost for the most part. But "Credenciales" are not a profit center forhim.
I hope this helps.
Thank you, I have first hand into the Camino provides as my first walk I end up in hospital for 8 days, and I still had fun, this will be my third and with the changes I will take a backup passport. But I did want the Camino de Levante passport as this will be my first walk since the changes come into play after April. Thanks."The Camino provides"..... just get there... Buen Camino.... and you'll have a B L A S T !!!
Thanks Alan, but I am after The De Levante passport as not many are out there, and this maybe my last Camino,,,,said that before.Google AFOTC [Australian Friends of the Camino] and follow the cues to get an authentic Aussie credential.
Alan
Be brave. Life is joyous.
Thanks Alan, but I am after The De Levante passport as not many are out there, and this maybe my last Camino,,,,said that before.
Panic about "official" credentials has been a recurring theme for several years. There is nothing new going on here; the credentials from all the confraternities and national organizations are valid. The warning words were coined several years ago and posted on the Cathedral website to stop a proliferation of tour operator and handmade credentials that were irritating the Pilgrim Office! No news is good news.Because it is an official credential issued by a recognised authority I have been assured it will still be valid.
Looks like someone has been watching too many movies about the illuminati....It has been clearly stated, by the order of the Council of the Santiago Cathedral:
One Passport to rule them all, One Passport to find them,
One Passport to bring them all and in Santiago bind them
In the Pilgrim's Office, where the Shadows lie.
Thanks @dougfitz. I found the thread very interesting but not wholly definitive + it was closed down pending further clarification in December.Members might remember this has already been discussed extensively here -->> https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...t-2016-camino-passport-credential-rule.37469/
This really is a matter for the cathedral authorities. Perhaps you should check the information they provide on the web site for the Pilgrims Office.Thanks @dougfitz. I found the thread very interesting but not wholly definitive + it was closed down pending further clarification in December.
Regardless of the debate, I would like to know if the VdlP-specific credential is officially sanctioned by the cathedral + (as I don't know what it looks like) what official provider can I approach to obtain a copy. Thanks!
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