Rent-a-pilgrim: he walks, you pay $2,500 [View All]

[DoYouEverWonder]

November 24, 2006

He calls himself "the payer-off of promises", but Portuguese computer expert Carlos Gil could just as easily go by the name of "rent-a-pilgrim".

Mr Gil has revived a 700-year-old tradition by hiring himself out to go on pilgrimages for those too infirm, too busy or just too lazy to go themselves.

His twice-yearly pilgrimages to the shrine at Fatima, in central Portugal, are now financed by those who wish to fulfil pledges secretly given in their prayers.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1955827,00.html


Maybe he should start a franchise.

Isn't this the same sort of thing has buying indulgences? What a rip off.