Cultural heritage and religious tourism

37. In the context of the development of leisure time and religious tourism, it seems right to point out some initiatives which may safeguard, restore and make the most of the existing religious cultural heritage, and also pass on to future generations the treasures of Christian culture.(²⁸) To this end, it seems advisable to promote and encourage several initiatives:

— the introduction of Apastoral care for tourism and leisure» or Acatechesis through art», as an identifiable and regular activity in a diocese.

— Designing diocesan or regional devotional itineraries based on the networks of holy places which constitute their spiritual and cultural heritage.

— Making churches open and welcoming, by exploiting resources which are sometimes modest but significant.

— Setting up a pastoral programme for the most frequently visited religious buildings, to give visitors the benefit of the message they bear, and publishing documents on religious tourism or simply about tourism on a human scale in association with the appropriate local authorities.

— The creation of ACatholic guides' organizations», which would provide tourists with a high quality cultural service backed up with the witness of faith. Such initiatives can also create jobs, even if only temporary ones, for young or unemployed people.

— Support for international organizations like the E.C.A., European Cathedrals' Association.

— Setting up and developing museums of sacred art and religious anthropology: to bring out the quality of the objects on view, with a lively pedagogical presentation, to avoid such museums being storehouses for Adead objects».

— Encouraging the formation and expansion of funds or libraries specialised in the Christian and profane cultural heritage of a region, to put as many people as possible in touch with it.

— Despite problems in publishing and book sales in some countries, supporting - and perhaps also starting - Catholic bookshops, especially in parishes and at pilgrimage sites. These need to be run by qualified people who would be able to give useful advice.