Bishops whose dioceses are along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route have tried to counter moves to make it just a cultural or tourist experience.
French and Spanish bishops released a pastoral letter setting out the possibilities of evangelisation of those travelling the route.
The bishops admit that 70 per cent of those walking the Camino are not religious pilgrims.
Travel companies are moving in to make the trip “a cultural and tourist route like any other”.
To counter this, the bishops suggested that parishes along the Way of St James should do more to support the pilgrims and strengthen their faith.
“Go out along the route to evangelise, welcome all you meet, invite them to visit your churches, explain to them the faith and the art of your altars, open a space for dialogue, take care of them personally,” the letter said.