Ambassador of Spain Accepts Invitation to Serve as Honorary Patron
Ambassador of Spain Accepts Invitation to Serve as Honorary Patron
American Pilgrims on the Camino Board Chair Joe Curro on December 18 visited Spain’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Ángeles Moreno Bau. Joining Joe were American Pilgrims past chairs Steve Lytch and Dave Donselar and Capital Area Chapter co-coordinator Jim Larocco, who helped arrange the meeting. They presented the ambassador with a lifetime membership in American Pilgrims and a framed certificate to commemorate the occasion. Ambassador Moreno accepted an invitation from the board to serve as the first honorary patron of American Pilgrims on the Camino.
The group discussed with the ambassador ways to work together on behalf of the pilgrim community, including:
- Forging contact between the embassy, consulates, and honorary consuls and the nearly 60 American Pilgrims chapters around the United States.
- Visibility in the form of an information table and/or speaking opportunities for American Pilgrims on the Camino at the embassy’s annual open house and for tourism and cultural officials of Spain at American Pilgrims gatherings and events.
- Opportunities to network through educational and cultural programs, such as the North American Language and Culture Assistant (Auxiliar de Conversación) program and Spanish cultural centers, to share information about pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago, particularly with younger potential pilgrims.
Ambassador Moreno was appointed to her position in January 2024, assuming office the following month. Her previous role was Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs, the second highest-ranking position in Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.