Haifa, May 13th, 1945.
Dear Baha'i Sister:
The beloved Guardian has instructed me to answer your letters dated April
12th, 13th (two) and 14th, and to acknowledge receipt of the enclosures
forwarded with them.
Regarding the matter of Mrs. ... and the inharmony that seems to exist
among certain of the friends in ...: when Baha'is permit the dark forces
of the world to enter into their own relationships within the Faith they
gravely jeopardise its progress; it is the paramount duty of the
believers, the local assemblies, and particularly the N.S.A. to foster
harmony, understanding and love amongst the friends. All should be ready
and willing to set aside every personal sense of grievance--justified or
unjustified--for the good of the Cause, because the people will never
embrace it until they see in its community life mirrored what is so
conspicuously lacking in the world: love and unity.
The Baha'is are fully entitled to address criticisms to their assemblies;
they can freely air their views about policies or individual members of
elected bodies to the assembly, local or national, but then they must
whole-heartedly accept the advice or decision of the assembly, according
to the principles already laid down for such matters in Baha'i
administration.
Shoghi Effendi has repeatedly stated, to believers in every part of the
world, that the individual Baha'is are entirely free to write to him on
any matter they please; naturally he is equally free to answer in any
manner he pleases. At the present time, when the institutions of the Cause
are just beginning to function, he considers it essential to keep up this
large correspondence, much as it adds to his many other burdens. It is
sometimes the case that the very first intimation he receives of some
important step influencing the interests of the Faith, one way or another,
comes from an individual's letter instead of from an assembly; it would
naturally be preferable for the information to come from an administrative
body, but whatever the source, the Guardian is solely concerned with the
welfare of the Faith, and when he deems a certain step detrimental he
states his views in his reply. This he is at entire liberty to do.
Just as the National Assembly has full jurisdiction over all its local
Assemblies, the Guardian has full jurisdiction over all National
Assemblies; he is not required to consult them, if he believes a certain
decision is advisable in the interests of the Cause. He is the judge of
the wisdom and advisability of the decisions made by these bodies, and not
they of the wisdom and advisability of his decisions. A perusal of the
Will and Testament makes this principle quite clear.
He is the Guardian of the Cause in the very fullness of that term, and the
appointed interpreter of its teachings, and is guided in his decisions to
do that which protects it and fosters its growth and highest interests.
He always has the right to step in and countermand the decisions of a
national assembly; if he did not possess this right he would be absolutely
impotent to protect the Faith, just as the N.S.A., if it were divested of
the right to countermand the decisions of a local assembly, would be
incapable of watching over and guiding the national welfare of the Baha'i
Community.
It very seldom happens--but it nevertheless does happen--that he feels
impelled to change a major (as you put it) decision of an N.S.A.; but he
always unhesitatingly does so when necessary, and the N.S.A. in question
should gladly and unhesitatingly accept this as a measure designed for the
good of the Faith which its elected representatives are so devotedly
seeking to serve.
Regarding the position of Summer Schools in Australia: much of what you
are at present going through has already been experienced by the American
Baha'i Community, and he sympathises with your views and problems; however
he wishes to state the following:
Whatever the history of the Yerrinbool School may be, the fact remains it
is now in existence, is owned by believers ready to have it used as such,
and is known as a Baha'i Summer School all over the world. The Guardian is
not the least concerned with personalities in this matter, but with
principles. He feels at the present time that one Baha'i Summer School is
enough for the believers of Australia to maintain. In the future, as
assemblies and groups multiply, the question will naturally have to be
reconsidered.
Baha'i Summer Schools in the United States originated in the same informal
manner as Yerrinbool; they were (and some still are) the property of
individual believers who resided on them, but they are administered by
Committees appointed by the N.S.A. and which usually include, out of
courtesy and consideration, the owners. The American friends also desired
to have many more Summer Schools, but the Guardian has so far not
permitted them to add to the number, as it dissipates the energy and funds
of the believers and would at present weaken those already existing.
He feels that the duty of your Assembly is to not give up Yerrinbool
because of any inharmony over it, but to administer and support it
properly and remove the inharmony. You should appoint a Committee for the
School, purchase any extra equipment needed for the comfort and
accommodation of the attendants, and he feels sure the Boltons will
cooperate with you in this matter, as they are eager to have the property
be used by the believers.
Generally speaking he does not encourage the erection of buildings in
memory to individual believers at the present time. But as those at
Yerrinbool serve a useful purpose and that the memory of dear Father Dunn
commemorates the life of the man who brought the Faith to the Continent of
Australia, we may welcome it in the spirit it was given.
As to what uses should be made of the building purchased by the S.A. of
Adelaide, he leaves the decision to your body and that Assembly. He hopes
that at a future date it can be used as a Summer School.
It is the duty of the N.S.A. to exercise the greatest wisdom, forbearance
and tact in handling the affairs of the Cause. Many of the differences
which arise between the believers are due to their immaturity, their
extreme zeal and sincerity.
He will pray for you all in the Holy Shrines, that the Beloved may assist
and strengthen you in the discharge of your sacred duties to the Faith and
its adherents in Australia and New Zealand.
With Baha'i love,
R. Rabbani.
[From the Guardian:]
Read and approved,
Shoghi.