Got Money To Waste?

[quamp]

Story here

LISBON (Reuters) - Any Roman Catholics who have vowed to make the pilgrimage to Fatima in Portugal which is famous for religious visions but can't fulfil their promise, help is at hand -- rent-a-pilgrim.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this defeat the purpose of having a pilgrimage? I mean, the whole point of going on a pilgrimage is to experience things for yourself, right?

For 2,500 euros (1,671 pounds or $3,194.50), Pilgrim Gil will make the journey in your place -- and send you a certificate stamped along the way to prove he walked your every step.

Of course, he can merely do this once and just use the same certificate over and over... who's going to know the difference?

"It is a romantic way for my clients to thank God for what they have, like buying a candle or a plaster statue of Fatima," he said.

It's also another wonderful attempt at crass commecialism too, you forgot to mention that...

[Guest Alien Pirate Pixagi]

...

Wow... I'm not even Catholic (or even BELIEVE in the Christian faith, for that matter...) and I'm offended. Like, extremly offended. At the same time, the Catholic faith is the one that let you get into Heaven via monatary "donations." ...So yeah...

[Guest cu-kid]

Wow, that's really sad... and kinda low even for Catholics...

...and am I the only one who thinks it's also really freakin' funny? I mean, c'mon, the guy compares spending nearly $3,200 to having a statue of Mary or to buying a candle that would cost you .25 at Church

I grew up Catholic, so maybe I'm the only one to see past the tastelessness of this and see the hilarity in it.

[StoryJunkie]

Wow! I totally want that guy to go to Fatima for me!

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Why stop there? How about someone making a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for all Jews and stick a prayer in the wailing wall for them. How about a rent-a-pilgrim to Kyoto to visit one of the many shinto shrines there? Why, the possibilites are endless!