Camino Ingles

The Camino – Pilgrims and Pilgrimage – A Sacred Bond

by Keith Taylor, President of the Camino Ingles

The weekend commemorating St Cuthbert began with the welcome of Spanish visitors to Bishop Auckland, a town whose Spanish connections go back to Roman times when a Spanish cavalry regiment was stationed at Binchester Roman Fort. The Spanish contingent included Antonio Leira, Congressman of the Regional Government of A Coruña for Economy, Maite Loureiro, Head of Tourism at A Coruña Provincial Council, Cristina Garcia Soto, Manager of the Association of Councils on the Camino Inglés, Cristobal Ramirez, journalist for La Vaz de Galicia and Mercedes Carballo, UK based representative for the Camino Inglés.

A new Camino Ingles marker was nailed in place by Antonio Leira, delighted in the establishment of the new route through Bishop Auckland. The route begins at Finchale Priory where the hermit St Godric lived – recorded as the first English person to go on pilgrimage to Santiago.

The next day 19 th March 2022, more than 150 pilgrims from the North East of England and further afield gathered enthusiastically for the Annual Pilgrimage, which had been disrupted for 2 years by the pandemic.

They were greeted by the Dean of Durham Cathedral, The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, who met the pilgrims at Finchale Priory. They walked together to Durham Cathedral, where they were welcomed by Canon Chancellor, Rev’d Canon Charlie Allen and the newly installed Canon for Pilgrimage, Rev’d Canon Eileen Harrop. The County was represented by Councillor Elizabeth Scott, with Keith Taylor, President of the Finchale Camino Inglés leading the contingent.

On return to A Coruña, Antonio Leira Piñeiro, the Councillor for Economy, Finance and Personnel, wrote:

“It was fantastic to do the pilgrimage in a place with such history and strong connection with Galicia and also to attend the Eucharist. I am convinced that
we are recovering a significant part of the history of pilgrimage together, and both the Cathedral in Durham and the one in Santiago have a major role to
play.”

For more information about the Camino Inglés, pilgrimages and events, contact Keith Taylor