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| Church concerns over 'peace flame' plan | Church concerns over 'peace flame' plan |
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| The graveyard of St Pancras Old Church in north London is one of the oldest sacred places in Britain, a spiritual refuge since Roman times that also boasts rich literary connections. | The graveyard of St Pancras Old Church in north London is one of the oldest sacred places in Britain, a spiritual refuge since Roman times that also boasts rich literary connections. |
| Charles Dickens described the place in A Tale of Two Cities, and Thomas Hardy, an architect before he became a writer, was responsible for moving many of the gravestones when the site was turned into a public garden to make way for the railways. Now the haven is due for another transformation under plans that will see a "peace pathway" hewn out of Yorkshire stone laid across the site. Pride of place along the pathway will be a £60,000 "world peace flame". | Charles Dickens described the place in A Tale of Two Cities, and Thomas Hardy, an architect before he became a writer, was responsible for moving many of the gravestones when the site was turned into a public garden to make way for the railways. Now the haven is due for another transformation under plans that will see a "peace pathway" hewn out of Yorkshire stone laid across the site. Pride of place along the pathway will be a £60,000 "world peace flame". |
| The initiative is backed by many of the country's leading faith groups, representing Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Sikhs, who have all signed a statement promoting the flame, versions of which are already found in several European cities. | The initiative is backed by many of the country's leading faith groups, representing Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Sikhs, who have all signed a statement promoting the flame, versions of which are already found in several European cities. |
| But what they may not realise is that the flame is the brainchild of a controversial organisation called the Life Foundation, a quasi-religious outfit that combines Hindu and western traditions and owns properties around the world. | But what they may not realise is that the flame is the brainchild of a controversial organisation called the Life Foundation, a quasi-religious outfit that combines Hindu and western traditions and owns properties around the world. |
| Founded by Mansukh Patel, described by his followers as a guru, the Life Foundation, which is based in Snowdonia, runs classes in its own form of yoga, known as Dru. Hundreds of volunteers and students donate their energy and money to its projects and to promoting Dru. Many talk positively about their experiences, but some former members have raised concerns about the way it operates, forcing the foundation to deny claims that it has similarities to a cult. | Founded by Mansukh Patel, described by his followers as a guru, the Life Foundation, which is based in Snowdonia, runs classes in its own form of yoga, known as Dru. Hundreds of volunteers and students donate their energy and money to its projects and to promoting Dru. Many talk positively about their experiences, but some former members have raised concerns about the way it operates, forcing the foundation to deny claims that it has similarities to a cult. |
| "The Life Foundation is a group about which I am concerned," said Ian Haworth, an expert on quasi-religious groups. "Over the years, I have received complaints about its activities. I have also assisted some former members of the group, who have sometimes had questions about how best to recover and return to a productive life in society." | "The Life Foundation is a group about which I am concerned," said Ian Haworth, an expert on quasi-religious groups. "Over the years, I have received complaints about its activities. I have also assisted some former members of the group, who have sometimes had questions about how best to recover and return to a productive life in society." |
| On its website, the group explains that through the world peace flame initiative, it has funded not-for-profit schemes in India. It runs a series of sponsored walks to fund the flames and distributes education packs in schools to explain their significance. A separate Life Foundation-linked website promoting the scheme explains: "We have already raised £36,000. We need your help to raise another £24,000. Please give as generously as you can to this very worthwhile project." | On its website, the group explains that through the world peace flame initiative, it has funded not-for-profit schemes in India. It runs a series of sponsored walks to fund the flames and distributes education packs in schools to explain their significance. A separate Life Foundation-linked website promoting the scheme explains: "We have already raised £36,000. We need your help to raise another £24,000. Please give as generously as you can to this very worthwhile project." |
| However, a number of articles and blogs criticise the foundation. Its members, who last week declined repeated requests for interviews, have stated in the past that the criticism comes from former members who "put everything in operation to discredit the good work of Life Foundation". | However, a number of articles and blogs criticise the foundation. Its members, who last week declined repeated requests for interviews, have stated in the past that the criticism comes from former members who "put everything in operation to discredit the good work of Life Foundation". |
| Although the Old St Pancras churchyard is now a public garden, the site is still overseen by the Diocese of London. Writer William Godwin and his wife, Mary Wollstonecraft, the feminist theorist, are buried on the site [see footnote]. It was by their grave that their daughter, Mary, the author of Frankenstein, would secretly meet her future husband, the poet Percy Shelley. The mausoleum of celebrated 19th-century architect Sir John Soane lies a few feet from the grave. | |
| A spokesman for the Diocese of London explained that a licence allowing the pathway to be built was granted several years ago. "The faculty [the licence] expired in 2012 and the parish has not requested its renewal because of concerns which emerged about the intentions of those behind the project," the spokesman explained. | A spokesman for the Diocese of London explained that a licence allowing the pathway to be built was granted several years ago. "The faculty [the licence] expired in 2012 and the parish has not requested its renewal because of concerns which emerged about the intentions of those behind the project," the spokesman explained. |
| "An event is currently planned to take place in the churchyard on 26 June. The churchyard is under the legal ownership of Camden council and so it is up to them whether or not this takes place but the parish will not be taking part in any such event. We have shared our concerns with Camden council and are in touch with them." A spokesman for the council confirmed that planning permission had been granted for the pathway, but said construction work could start only after background checks had been conducted. | "An event is currently planned to take place in the churchyard on 26 June. The churchyard is under the legal ownership of Camden council and so it is up to them whether or not this takes place but the parish will not be taking part in any such event. We have shared our concerns with Camden council and are in touch with them." A spokesman for the council confirmed that planning permission had been granted for the pathway, but said construction work could start only after background checks had been conducted. |
| Patel and his fellow Life Foundation supporters claim they created peace flames on five continents, adding that they "flew each flame to Wales and combined them to create the World Peace Flame". It is unclear how they were able to fly lit flames into the UK, something that would breach aviation laws. | Patel and his fellow Life Foundation supporters claim they created peace flames on five continents, adding that they "flew each flame to Wales and combined them to create the World Peace Flame". It is unclear how they were able to fly lit flames into the UK, something that would breach aviation laws. |
| Anil Bhanot of Hindu Council UK said he supported the idea behind the flame, although admitted he was not aware of the Life Foundation's involvement in it. "I think would be a brilliant idea once it comes to fruition," he said. | Anil Bhanot of Hindu Council UK said he supported the idea behind the flame, although admitted he was not aware of the Life Foundation's involvement in it. "I think would be a brilliant idea once it comes to fruition," he said. |
| "We would like to see such a light – from a religious point of view – something you can use and aspire to in our own daily lives: a symbol of light over darkness." | "We would like to see such a light – from a religious point of view – something you can use and aspire to in our own daily lives: a symbol of light over darkness." |
| • This footnote was appended on 2 May 2013: Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin were indeed originally buried at St Pancras Old Church, but were exhumed and reburied in 1851 at St Peter's Church, Bournemouth in the same tomb as their daughter, Mary Shelley. | |
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