Yes! I loved the comment which said that someone writing for the Guardian could turn anything into a moral dillema
Some of the article is just wrong:
"This is where my ethical problem arises. While the Camino is frequented by people of all faiths and none, it is generally accepted that the credencial should be signed by a representative of the Catholic church – usually your local priest, who can send the pilgrim on her way, vouching for her character. But being not only an atheist, and one who is not even baptised, I don't feel comfortable asking for a Catholic priest (in London, no less – which one would I even choose?) to sign my credencial."
This is just a myth. Medieval pilgrims carried letters often from priests attesting to their bona fides as pilgrims and seeking their safe conduct. These letters are the distant relatives of the modern credenciales or pilgrim passports. Very rarely nowadays people write to the Pilgrims' Office asking if such a letter is necessary or if their credencial needs to be signed or stamped by a priest at the outset. The answer is that this is absolutely NOT required.
Next ethical question:
"This dilemma brought more questions to mind. If a fellow pilgrim starts a conversation, at which point should I divulge my lack of faith? And when I do, won't it offend believers to share a holy trail with someone who doesn't share their devotion?"
Answer: many will agree with you and EVERYONE will wish you "buen camino"
Finally there is the hoary old question of what is a pilgrimage and what makes a pilgrim. The Confraternity of St James says about the credencial:
"It presupposes that the bearer is making the pilgrimage for spiritual reasons. This does not necessarily mean Roman Catholic and pilgrims will not be asked about their denomination, or even whether they are Christian, although of course historically the pilgrimage itself has meant Christian pilgrimage. Today and in practice, however, the credencial covers anyone making the pilgrimage in a frame of mind that is open and searching."
http://www.csj.org.uk/passport.htm
The Cathedral of Santiago gives the following guidance:
"What is a pilgrim and why do people make the pilgrimage to Santiago?
Pilgrimage is time set apart from normal daily life in which people travel to a holy place. Santiago stands alongside Rome and Jerusalem as the third greatest Christian pilgrimage destination in the world.
Pilgrims on the way to Santiago have the opportunity for personal reflection and prayer as well as enjoying the fellowship of other pilgrims from many different countries. The pilgrimage is an opportunity for spiritual renewal and growth in personal faith."
So...there are few rules and specific definitions. The only real requirement is that we make the journey!