Welcome of the french-speaking pilgrims in Santiago

[Pafayac]

Webcompostella is an association which welcomes french-speaking pilgrims in Santiago.
Among its activity, a donativo guided visit around the cathedral. But this has lead to problems with professional guides:
"I regret to inform you that we had, at the request of the Chapter of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to suspend, as of September 26, the reception we provide at the Pilgrims' Reception Center.

Since the opening of the French-speaking reception on May 15, the hosts have been regularly questioned during the spiritual visit offered every day at 5:30 p.m. They were accused of accepting donations from pilgrims at the end of the visit, donations exclusively intended to finance the Francophone Reception. You should know that Webcompostella does not benefit from any sources of funding other than contributions and donations. This operation had not given rise to any remarks since the creation of the Accueil Francophone in 2015.

In the interest of appeasement, the Board of Directors of Webcompostella decided to no longer offer donations or accept them at the end of the spiritual visit as of June 26th."
(Letter sent by Webcompostella to other St James associations)

I understand that everybody needs to earn money but my opinion is that non-profit organizations should be allowed to propose activities, even where there is a private competition.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

this is one side of the story. I bet there's more to it.

 

[SabsP]

In the interest of appeasement, the Board of Directors of Webcompostella decided to no longer offer donations or accept them at the end of the spiritual visit as of June 26th."
(Letter sent by Webcompostella to other St James associations)

I understand that everybody needs to earn money but my opinion is that non-profit organizations should be allowed to propose activities, even where there is a private competition.

Sad situation! Though IMO the French volunteers are doing something completely different than the commercial guides.

I believe the Italian Confraternity also has these visits but I am not certain?

 

[Kathor1]

Sad situation! Though IMO the French volunteers are doing something completely different than the commercial guides. I believe the Italian Confraternity also has these visits but I am not certain?

The volunteers of the German language pastoral care team (Pilgerseelsorge) have offered a similar walk around the Cathedral for groups of pilgrims on a daily basis and for years; the focus is on the religious and spiritual meaning of what you can see. This walk was often announced just before the start of the pilgrim mass in the Cathedral and they emphasised that it is meant to be more than just a regular sightseeing tour. I don't know whether they, too, have stopped now like the French language Accueil francophone.

I did not know about this offer at the time I was in Santiago, and besides I think we arrived there when their season had already ended. I would have loved to participate.

It is also mentioned on the blog of the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago:

• Deutschsprachige Pilgerseelsorge Santiago - 18 Uhr: Spiritueller Rundgang im Kreuzgang; Treffpunkt am Südportal
• Accueil francophone Saint Jaques de Compostelle - 18.00 h: Visite spitituelle de la Cathedrale (Extérieur); Rendez-vous devant de Portail Nord

Here's a photo of volunteers from the two groups outside of the Cathedral:

 

[Josefus]

Well, it was some years ago when I twice took part on the walkaround with German language „Pilgerseelsorge“. I think an important difference to the francophone pendant was/is that they don’t take donations and don’t even ask for.
As far as I know they are financed by a German dioceses.