History of the EGPN The European Green Pilgrimage Network (EGPN) grew out of the Green Pilgrimage Network, a global network of pilgrim cities committed to green pilgrimage.
The GPN was launched in Assisi, Italy, in 2011 and was hosted by the UK-based charity, the Alliance of Religions and Conservation, until 2015. It emerged from asking the question: 'Why are the world’s holiest places not the world’s cleanest and most cared for places?' Its members were drawn from 28 sacred places around the world, from Amritsar, India, for Sikhs and Assisi, Italy, for Catholics to Haifa, Israel, for Baha’is; Kano, Nigeria, for Islam’s Qadiriyyah Movement; and Louguan, China, for Daoists. The GPN was the originator of the term ‘green pilgrimage’ and its members tested its principles at pilgrimage sites from Amritsar in India to Etchmiadzin in Armenia. The GPN supported the establishment of the annual Hindu Environment Week and Sikh |
'I love you when you bow in your mosque, Environment Day, both events promoting green pilgrimage. The GPN also resulted in a number of handbooks helping faith groups to green their practice. These included:
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The European Green Pilgrimage Network (EGPN) is now an independent project housed by the Diocese of Canterbury in Kent, a UK charity. It was founded to cater for the growing numbers of pilgrims visiting European pilgrim sites. The EGPN is a faith-based network that encourages all stakeholders, from faith groups to local authorities, to work together to green their place of pilgrimage. It welcomes new members who are committed to promoting green pilgrimage practice and growing it locally while sharing their success with others.
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Increasingly popularPilgrimage is increasingly popular globally, including in Europe. Ancient pilgrimage routes such as The Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela in Spain report a 10% increase in numbers each year.
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Europe's busiest routeThe Camino is Europe’s busiest pilgrimage
route and now has around 215,000 visitors a year, with around eight million people coming to its Cathedral in Santiago. Pilgrims come from 140 countries worldwide. |
Increasing by 20% each yearOther pilgrimage routes, such as the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome or St Brigid’s Way in Sweden, are increasingly popular. And in Norway pilgrimage along the St Olav’s Way is increasing by 20% each year.
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'Different religions, different holy sites, yet on the same page, working towards the same goal. This is a valuable lesson for the world. It is an important reminder that despite difficult times – be it the crushing weight of austerity measures here in Europe or revolutionary turmoil in the Middle East – we need to stay focused on what is truly important: how we treat each other.' |