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LA CONSTITUCIÓN DE LA CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA
(c) The Universal House of Justice 1972
Declaración de Fideicomiso
EN EL NOMBRE DE DIOS, EL UNO, EL INCOMPARABLE, EL TODOPODEROSO, EL OMNISCIENTE, EL OMNISAPIENTE.
La luz derramada desde el cielo de munificencia, y la bendición que resplandece desde el lugar del amanecer de la voluntad de Dios, el Señor del Reino de los Nombres, reposen sobre Aquél Quien es el Supremo Mediador, la Más Excelsa Pluma, Aquél Quien Dios ha hecho que sea el punto de alborada de Sus Más excelentes nombres y la aurora de Sus más exaltados atributos. Mediante Él ha brillado la luz de la unidad sobre el horizonte del mundo, y la ley de la unicidad ha sido revelada entre las naciones las que, con rostros radiantes, se han vuelto hacia el Horizonte Supremo, y han reconocido aquello que la lengua de la Prolación ha dicho en el Reino de Su conocimiento: "¡Tierra y cielo, gloria y dominio son de Dios, el Omnipotente, el Todopoderoso, el Señor de abundante gracia!"
Con corazones llenos de júbilo y gratitud atestiguamos la abundancia de la Misericordia de Dios, de la perfección de Su justicia y del cumplimiento de Su Antigua Promesa.
Bahá'u'lláh, el Revelador de la Palabra de Dios en este Día, la Fuente de Autoridad, el Manantial de Justicia, el Creador de un nuevo Orden Mundial, el Establecedor de la Más Grande Paz, el Inspirador y Fundador de una civilización mundial, el juez, el Legislador, el Unificador y Redentor de toda la humanidad, ha proclamado el advenimiento del Reino de Dios sobre la tierra, ha formulado sus leyes y ordenanzas, ha enunciando sus principios y ha establecido sus instituciones. Con la finalidad de dirigir y canalizar las fuerzas liberadas por Su Revelación, Él instituyó Su Convenio, cuyo poder ha preservado la integridad de Su Fe, ha mantenido su unidad y ha estimulado la expansión mundial de ella en el curso de los ministerios sucesivos de 'Abdu'l-Bahá y Shoghi Effendi. Sigue cumpliendo su propósito vivificador mediante la acción de la Casa Universal de Justicia cuyo objetivo fundamental, como uno de los sucesores gemelos de Bahá'u'lláh y 'Abdu'l-Bahá, es asegurar la continuidad de esa autoridad divinamente señalada que fluye de la fuente de la Fe, de salvaguardar la unidad de sus seguidores y de mantener la integridad y flexibilidad de sus enseñanzas.
"El propósito fundamental que anima a la Fe de Dios y Su Religión", declara Bahá'u'lláh, "es salvaguardar los intereses y promover la unidad de la raza humana, y de estimular el espíritu de amor y compañerismo entre los hombres. No permitáis que llegue a ser fuente de disensiones y discordia, de odio y enemistad. Este es el recto Sendero, el cimiento fijo e inamovible. Cualquier cosa que se edifique sobre estos cimientos, jamás podrá ser socavada su firmeza por los cambios y azares del mundo, ni tampoco será minada su estructura por la revolución de incontables centurias."
"Todos deben volverse hacia el Libro Más Sagrado", declara 'Abdu'l-Bahá en Su Voluntad y Testamento, "y todo lo que no esté anotado expresamente en él debe ser referido a la Casa Universal de Justicia."
La procedencia, la autoridad, los deberes, la esfera de acción de la Casa Universal de Justicia derivan todas de la Palabra revelada de Bahá'u'lláh la que, junto con las interpretaciones y exposiciones del Centro del Convenio y del Guardián de la Causa -quien, después de 'Abdu'l-Bahá, es la única autoridad en la interpretación de las Escrituras Bahá'ís- constituyen los términos de referencia obligatorios de la Casa Universal de Justicia y son el lecho de roca de sus cimientos. La autoridad de estos Textos es absoluta e inmutable hasta el momento en que Dios Todopoderoso revele Su nueva Manifestación, a Quien pertenecerá toda autoridad y poder.
Al no haber sucesor de Shoghi Effendi como Guardián de la Causa de Dios, la Casa Universal de Justicia es la Cabeza de la Fe y su institución suprema a la que todos deben volverse, y sobre ella descansa la responsabilidad final de asegurar la unidad y el progreso de la Causa de Dios. Además, sobre ella recaen los deberes de dirigir y coordinar la labor de las Manos de la Causa, de asegurar que se continúen cumpliendo las funciones de protección y propagación depositadas en aquella institución, y de proveer para la recolección y desembolso del Huqúqu'lláh.
Entre los poderes y deberes con que ha sido investida la Casa Universal de Justicia se encuentran:
Asegurar la preservación de los Textos Sagrados y salvaguardar su inviolabilidad; analizar, clasificar y coordinar las Escrituras; y defender y proteger la Causa de Dios y emanciparla de los grillos de la reprensión y persecución;
Hacer progresar los intereses de la Fe de Dios; proclamar, propagar y enseñar su Mensaje; expandir y consolidar las instituciones de su Orden Administrativo; introducir el Orden Mundial de Bahá'u'lláh; promover el logro de aquellas cualidades espirituales que deberían caracterizar la vida Bahá'í individual y colectiva; hacer lo más que pueda para lograr cordialidad y urbanidad entre las naciones y por lograr la paz universal; y fomentar aquello que conduzca a la educación e iluminación de las almas de los hombres y el adelanto y mejoramiento del mundo;
Estatuir leyes y ordenanzas no anotadas expresamente en los Textos Sagrados; abrogar, de acuerdo con los cambios y requerimientos de cada época, sus propias disposiciones; deliberar y decidir sobre todos los problemas que han causado diferencias; elucidar cuestiones que son oscuras; salvaguardar los derechos personales, la libertad y la iniciativa de los individuos; y prestar atención a la preservación del honor humano, el desarrollo de los países y a la estabilidad de los estados;
Promulgar y aplicar las leyes y principios de la Fe; salvaguardar y hacer cumplir aquella rectitud de conducta que ordena la Ley de Dios; resguardar y desarrollar el Centro Espiritual y Administrativo de la Fe Bahá'í, establecido en forma permanente en las ciudades gemelas de 'Akká y Haifa; administrar los asuntos de la comunidad Bahá'í a través del mundo; guiar, organizar, coordinar y unificar sus actividades; fundar instituciones; ser responsable de asegurar que ningún cuerpo o institución dentro de la Causa abuse de sus privilegios o se debilite en el ejercicio de sus derechos y prerrogativas; y proveer para la recepción, distribución, administración y salvaguarda de los fondos, dotaciones y otras propiedades encomendadas a su cuidado;
Disponer en disputas dentro de su jurisdicción; dictar juicio en casos de violación de las leyes de la Fe y pronunciar sanciones por tales violaciones; proveer para el cumplimiento de sus decisiones; proveer para el arbitraje y solución de disputas que se produzcan entre pueblos; y ser el expositor y guardián de aquella justicia Divina que es la única que puede garantizar la seguridad y establecer el reinado de la ley y del orden en el mundo.
Los miembros de la Casa Universal de Justicia, designados por Bahá'u'lláh como "los Hombres de Justicia", "la gente de Bahá que ha sido mencionada en el Libro de los Nombres", "los Fideicomisarios de Dios entre Sus siervos y las auroras de autoridad en Sus países", en el desempeño de sus responsabilidades, tendrán siempre presente las siguientes normas expuestas por Shoghi Effendi, el Guardián de la Causa de Dios:
"En la conducción de los asuntos administrativos de la Fe, en la promulgación de la legislación necesaria para suplementar las leyes del Kitáb-i-Aqdas, los miembros de la Casa Universal de Justicia, es necesario tenerlo en mente, no son, como implican claramente las palabras de Bahá'u'lláh, responsables ante aquellos a quienes representan, ni tampoco les está permitido ser gobernados por los sentimientos, la opinión generalizada, e incluso las convicciones de la masa de los fieles, o de aquellos quienes los eligen directamente. Ellos deben seguir, en actitud de oración, los dictados e incitaciones de sus conciencias. Pueden, aún más, deben, familiarizarse con las convicciones prevalecientes entre la comunidad, deben pesar en sus mentes, sin apasionamiento, los méritos de cualquier caso sometido a su consideración, pero deben reservar para sí el derecho a una decisión sin compromisos. 'En verdad, Dios les inspirará con aquello que sea Su voluntad', es la afirmación incontrovertible de Bahá'u'lláh. Ellos, y no el cuerpo de aquellos que los eligen ya sea en forma directa o indirecta, han sido hechos los recipientes de guía divina que es a la vez la sangre vital y la salvaguarda final de esta Revelación."
La Casa Universal de Justicia fue elegida por primera vez el primer día del Festival de Ridván en el ciento vigésimo año de la Era bahá'í (1), cuando los miembros de las Asambleas Nacionales, en conformidad con lo estipulado en la Voluntad y Testamento de 'Abdu'l-Bahá, y en respuesta al llamado de las Manos de la Causa de Dios, los Mayordomos Principales de la Mancomunidad Mundial embrionaria de Bahá'u'lláh, dieron el ser a esta "gloria coronadora" de las instituciones administrativas de Bahá'u'lláh, el verdadero "núcleo y precursor" de Su Orden Mundial. Ahora, por lo tanto, en obediencia al Mandato de Dios y confiando por entero en ÉI, nosotros, los miembros de la Casa Universal de Justicia, ponemos nuestras manos y su sello a esta Declaración de Fideicomiso la que, junto con los estatutos anexados, forman la Constitución de la Casa Universal de Justicia.
Hugh E. Chance
Hushmand Fatheazam
Amoz E. Gibson
David Hofman
H. Borrah Kavelin
Alí Nakhjavani
David S. Ruhe
Ian C. Semple
Charles Wolcott
Firmado en la ciudad de Haifa el cuarto día del mes de Qawl en el ciento vigésimo noveno año de la Era Bahá'í, que corresponde al vigésimo sexto día del mes de noviembre del año 1972 según el calendario Gregoriano.
(Se adjunta archivo gráfico [firmas.jpg] con las firmas y el sello).
Estatutos
PREÁMBULO
La Casa Universal de Justicia es la institución suprema de un Orden Administrativo cuyas características sobresalientes, cuya autoridad y cuyos principios de acción están claramente enunciados en las Sagradas Escrituras de la Fe Bahá'í y de sus interpretaciones autorizadas. Este Orden Administrativo consiste, por una parte, en una serie de consejos elegidos, a nivel universal, secundario y local, investidos con poderes legislativos, ejecutivos y judiciales sobre la comunidad Bahá'í y, por otra, de creyentes eminentes y devotos nombrados para fines específicos de protección y propagación de la Fe de Bahá'u'lláh bajo guía de la Cabeza de la Fe.
Este Orden Administrativo es el núcleo y modelo del Orden Mundial delineado por Bahá'u'lláh. En el curso de su crecimiento orgánico divinamente propulsado, sus instituciones se expandirán, dando origen a ramas auxiliares v desarrollando agencias subordinadas, multiplicando sus actividades y diversificando sus funciones, en consonancia con los principios y propósitos revelados por Bahá'u'lláh para el progreso de la raza humana.
I. CALIDAD DE MIEMBRO DE LA COMUNIDAD BAHÁ'Í
La comunidad Bahá'í estará constituida por todas las personas reconocidas por la Casa Universal de Justicia como poseedores de las calificaciones de fe y práctica Bahá'ís.
1. Con la finalidad de ser elegible, de votar y de ocupar cargo electivo, un Bahá'í debe haber cumplido veintiún años de edad.
2. Los derechos, privilegios y deberes de los Bahá'ís individuales están establecidos en las Escrituras de Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá y Shoghi Effendi y según lo dispuesto por la Casa Universal de Justicia.
II. ASAMBLEAS ESPIRITUALES LOCALES
Cuando quiera que, en cualquier localidad, el número de Bahá'ís que allí residen y que han llegado a los veintiún años de edad, exceda a nueve, el Primer Día de Ridván ellos convocarán y elegirán un cuerpo administrativo local de nueve miembros que será conocido como la Asamblea Espiritual de los Bahá'ís de esa localidad. Todas las mencionadas Asambleas Espirituales serán elegidas anualmente, después de esto, cada siguiente Primer Día de Ridván. Los miembros mantendrán sus cargos por el término de un año o hasta que sean elegidos sus sucesores. No obstante, cuando el número de Bahá'ís como se ha dicho, en cualquier localidad, sea exactamente nueve, ellos se constituirán, el Primer Día de Ridván, como la Asamblea Espiritual Local por declaración conjunta.
1. Los poderes generales y deberes de una Asamblea Espiritual Local están establecidos en las Escrituras de Bahá'u'lláh, 'Abdu'l-Bahá y Shoghi Effendi y según lo dispuesto por la Casa Universal de Justicia.
2. Una Asamblea Espiritual Local ejercerá plena jurisdicción sobre todas las actividades Bahá'ís y asuntos dentro de su localidad, sujeto a las provisiones de la Constitución Bahá'í Local. (2)
3. El área de jurisdicción de una Asamblea Espiritual Local será decidida por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, en conformidad con el principio establecido para cada país por la Casa Universal de Justicia.
III. ASAMBLEAS ESPIRITUALES NACIONALES
Cuando quiera que la Casa Universal de Justicia decida formar en algún país o región una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, los miembros con derecho a voto de la comunidad Bahá'í de ese país o región elegirán, en la forma y en el momento que decidirá la Casa Universal de Justicia, sus delegados para su Convención Nacional. A su vez, estos delegados elegirán, en la forma estipulada en la Constitución Nacional Bahá'í (3) un cuerpo de nueve miembros que será conocido como la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional de los Bahá'ís de dicho país o región. Los miembros continuarán en sus funciones por un año o hasta que sean elegidos sus sucesores.
1. Los poderes generales y deberes de una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional están establecidos en las Escrituras de 'Abdu'l-Bahá y Shoghi Effendi y según lo dispuesto por la Casa Universal de Justicia.
2. La Asamblea Espiritual Nacional tendrá jurisdicción exclusiva y autoridad sobre todas las actividades y asuntos de la Fe Bahá'í en toda su área. Se esforzará por estimular, unificar y coordinar las múltiples actividades de las Asambleas Espirituales Locales y de Bahá'ís individuales en su área y por todos los medios posibles les ayudará a promover la unidad de la humanidad. Además, representará a su comunidad nacional Bahá'í en relación con otras comunidades Bahá'ís nacionales y con la Casa Universal de Justicia.
3. El área de jurisdicción de una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional será definida por la Casa Universal de Justicia.
4. Las funciones principales de la Convención Nacional serán la consulta sobre actividades, planes y políticas Bahá'ís y la elección de los miembros de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, según lo establecido en la Constitución Nacional Bahá'í.
(a) Si en algún año la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional considera que es impracticable o no aconsejable llevar a efecto la Convención Nacional, dicha Asamblea proveerá medios y arbitrios con los cuales se pueden llevar a efecto la elección anual y los otros asuntos esenciales de la Convención.
(b) Las vacantes entre los miembros de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional serán llenadas por un voto de los delegados que constituyen la Convención que eligió a la Asamblea, tomándose las balotas por correo o en cualquier otra forma resuelta por la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.
IV. OBLIGACIONES DE LOS MIEMBROS DE LAS ASAMBLEAS ESPIRITUALES
Entre los deberes más sobresalientes y sagrados que incumben a aquellos quienes han sido llamados a iniciar, dirigir y coordinar los asuntos de la Causa de Dios como miembros de sus Asambleas Espirituales están: ganar por todos los medios en su poder la confianza y afecto de aquellos a quienes tienen el privilegio de servir; investigar y familiarizarse con las opiniones consideradas, los sentimientos prevalecientes y las convicciones personales de aquellos cuyo bienestar es su solemne obligación promover; depurar sus deliberaciones y la conducción general de sus asuntos de distanciamiento egoísta, de sospecha de secreto, de la atmósfera sofocante de imposición dictatorial y de toda palabra o acción que pueda dar sensación de parcialidad, egocentrismo y prejuicio; y mientras retienen el sagrado derecho de la decisión final en sus manos, invitar a la discusión, ventilar quejas, dar la bienvenida a consejo y fomentar el sentido de interdependencia y coparticipación, de comprensión y confianza mutua entre ellos y otros Bahá'ís.
V. LA CASA UNIVERSAL DE JUSTICIA
La Casa Universal de Justicia estará constituida por nueve hombres que han sido elegidos de entre la comunidad Bahá'í en la forma que a continuación se indica.
1. ELECCIÓN
Los miembros de, la Casa Universal de Justicia serán elegidos por voto secreto por los miembros de todas las Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales en una reunión que será conocida como la Convención Internacional Bahá'í.
(a) Se efectuará una elección de la Casa Universal de Justicia una vez cada cinco años, a no ser que la Casa Universal de Justicia lo disponga de otra manera, y los que sean elegidos continuarán en sus funciones hasta que sus sucesores sean elegidos y se haya efectuado en debida forma la primera reunión de estos sucesores.
(b) En cuanto reciba llamado a Convención cada Asamblea Espiritual Nacional someterá a la Casa Universal de Justicia una lista de los nombres de sus miembros. El reconocimiento y ubicación de los delegados a la Convención Internacional será privilegio de la Casa Universal de Justicia.
(e) Las funciones principales de la Convención Internacional serán elegir los miembros de la Casa Universal de Justicia, deliberar sobre los asuntos de la Causa Bahá'í en todo el mundo, y hacer recomendaciones y sugerencias para ser consideradas por la Casa Universal de Justicia.
(d) Las sesiones de la Convención Internacional serán llevadas de la manera como sea decidido, de tiempo en tiempo, por la Casa Universal de Justicia.
(e) La Casa Universal de Justicia proveerá un procedimiento mediante el cual, aquellos delegados que están imposibilitados de estar presentes, en persona, en la Convención Internacional, emitirán sus balotas para la elección de los miembros de la Casa Universal de Justicia.
(f) Si en el tiempo de una elección la Casa Universal de Justicia considere que es impracticable o no aconsejable efectuar la Convención Internacional, determinará en qué forma hará la elección.
(g) El día de la elección las balotas de todos los votantes serán escrutadas y contadas y el resultado será certificado por escrutadores nombrados en conformidad con las instrucciones de la Casa Universal de Justicia.
(h) Si un miembro de una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional que ha votado por correo deja de ser miembro de dicha Asamblea Espiritual Nacional entre el momento de emitir su balota y la fecha del recuento de las balotas, su balota seguirá siendo no obstante válida a no ser que, en el intervalo, haya sido elegido su sucesor y la balota de dicho sucesor haya sido recibida por los escrutadores.
(i) En caso que por un empate de voto o votos no se determine el número total de los miembros de la Casa Universal de Justicia en la primera votación, entonces se hará una o más votaciones adicionales entre las personas empatadas hasta que sean elegidos todos los miembros. Los electores, en caso de votación adicional, serán los miembros de Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales que estén en funciones en el momento en que se efectúe cada votación subsecuente.
2. VAVANTES DE MIEMBROS
Una vacante entre los miembros de la Casa Universal de Justicia se producirá por fallecimiento de un miembro o en los siguientes casos:
(a) Si algún miembro de la Casa Universal de Justicia cometiese un pecado nocivo al bienestar general, puede ser destituido en su calidad de miembro por la Casa Universal de Justicia.
(b) La Casa Universal de Justicia puede, a su discreción, declarar una vacante con respecto a cualquier miembro que, a su juicio, está imposibilitado de cumplir las funciones como tal.
(e) Un miembro puede renunciar a su condición como tal de la Casa Universal de Justicia únicamente con la aprobación de la Casa Universal de Justicia.
3. ELECCIÓN PARCIAL
En caso de vacante de un miembro de la Casa Universal de Justicia, la Casa Universal de Justicia convocará a una elección parcial en la fecha más próxima posible a no ser que tal fecha, a juicio de la Casa Universal de Justicia, caiga demasiado cerca de la fecha de una elección regular de la totalidad de los miembros, en cuyo caso la Casa Universal de Justicia, a su discreción, puede diferir el llenar la vacante hasta la fecha de la elección regular. Si se lleva a efecto una elección parcial, los electores serán los miembros de las Asambleas Espirituales Nacionales que estén en funciones en el momento de la elección parcial.
4. REUNIONES
(a) Después de la elección de la Casa Universal de Justicia la primera reunión será convocada por el miembro elegido por el más alto número de votos o, en su ausencia u otro impedimento, por el miembro electo por la segunda mayoría de votos o, en caso que dos o más miembros hayan recibido la misma mayoría de votos, entonces será el miembro seleccionado por sorteo entre dichos miembros. Las reuniones subsecuentes serán convocadas en la forma que decida la Casa Universal de Justicia.
(b) La Casa Universal de Justicia no tiene oficiales. Proveerá para la conducción de sus reuniones y organizará sus actividades en la forma que determinará de tiempo en tiempo.
(c) Los asuntos de la Casa Universal de Justicia serán llevados por la totalidad de sus miembros en consulta, excepto que la Casa Universal de Justicia puede disponer de tiempo en tiempo que haya quórum de menos de la totalidad de sus miembros para determinadas clases de asuntos.
5. FIRMA
La firma de la Casa Universal de Justicia serán las palabras "The Universal House of Justice" o en persa "Baytu'l-'Adl-i-A'zam" escritas a mano por cualquiera de sus miembros con autorización de la Casa Universal de Justicia, la que en cada caso será acompañada del sello de la Casa Universal de Justicia.
6. ACTAS
La Casa Universal de Justicia proveerá para el registro y verificación de sus decisiones en la forma que, de tiempo en tiempo, estime necesario.
VI. ELECCIONES BAHÁ'ÍS
Con la finalidad de preservar el carácter y propósito espirituales de las elecciones Bahá'ís se evitarán las prácticas de nominación o propaganda electoral, o cualquier otro procedimiento o actividad perjudicial para dicho carácter y propósito. Durante la elección prevalecerá una atmósfera silenciosa y de oración para que cada elector pueda votar únicamente por aquellos a quienes la oración y la reflexión le han inspirado a apoyar.
1. Toda elección Bahá'í, salvo las elecciones de oficiales de Asambleas Espirituales Locales y Nacionales y de comités, será por pluralidad de voto en balota secreta.
2. La elección de oficiales de una Asamblea Espiritual o comité será por voto de la mayoría de la Asamblea o comité obtenido por balota secreta.
3. En caso que por un empate de voto o votos la totalidad de los miembros de un cuerpo elegido no sea decidido en la primera votación, entonces se tomarán una o más votaciones adicionales sobre las personas empatadas hasta que se haya elegido la totalidad de los miembros.
4. Los deberes y derechos de un elector Bahá'í no pueden ser cedidos y tampoco pueden ser ejercidos por apoderado.
VII. DERECHO DE REVISIÓN
La Casa Universal de Justicia tiene derecho a revisar cualquier decisión o acción de cualquier Asamblea Espiritual Nacional o Local, y de aprobar, modificar o revocar dicha decisión o acción. La Casa Universal de Justicia también tiene derecho a intervenir en cualquier asunto en el que una Asamblea Espiritual esta fracasando en tomar acción o de llegar a una decisión y, según lo estime, requerir que se tome acción, o tome ella misma acción directamente en el asunto.
VIII. APELACIONES
El derecho de apelación existe y será ejercido en las circunstancias y según los procedimientos que a continuación se indican:
1. (a) Cualquier miembro de una comunidad Bahá'í local puede apelar una decisión de su Asamblea Espiritual Local a la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional la que determinará si asumirá jurisdicción del asunto o si lo referirá a la Asamblea Espiritual Local para su reconsideración. Si dicha apelación se refiere a la condición de miembro de una persona en la comunidad Bahá'í, la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional está obligada a asumir jurisdicción y resolver el caso.
(b) Cualquier Bahá'í puede apelar una decisión de su Asamblea Espiritual Nacional ante la Casa Universal de Justicia la que determinará si tomará jurisdicción en el asunto o si lo dejará dentro de la jurisdicción final de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.
(c) Si se producen diferencias entre dos o más Asambleas Espirituales Locales y si estas Asambleas no las pueden resolver, una cualquiera de tales Asambleas puede llevar el asunto a la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional la que de inmediato tomará jurisdicción sobre el asunto. Si la decisión de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional sobre el punto no es satisfactoria para alguna de las Asambleas involucradas, o si una Asamblea Espiritual Local tiene alguna vez motivos para creer que acciones de su Asamblea Espiritual Nacional tienen un efecto adverso sobre el bienestar y unidad de la comunidad de dicha Asamblea Local, en cualquier caso, después de tratar de arreglar sus diferencias de opinión con la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional, tendrá el derecho de apelar ante la Casa Universal de Justicia, la que determinará si tomará jurisdicción sobre el asunto o si lo dejará dentro de la jurisdicción final de la Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.
2. Un apelante, ya sea institución o individuo, apelará en primera instancia ante la Asamblea cuya decisión es cuestionada, ya sea para reconsideración del caso por dicha Asamblea o para que sea sometida a un cuerpo más elevado. En este último caso la Asamblea está obligada a someter la apelación junto con todos los detalles del asunto. Si una Asamblea rehusa someter la apelación, o deja de hacerlo dentro de un lapso razonable de tiempo, el apelante puede llevar el caso directamente a la autoridad más elevada.
IX. EL CUERPO DE LOS CONSEJEROS.
La institución de los Cuerpos de Consejeros fue creada por la Casa Universal de Justicia para prolongar hacia el futuro las funciones específicas de protección y propagación conferidas sobre las Manos de la Causa de Dios. Los miembros de estos cuerpos son nombrados por la Casa Universal de Justicia.
1. El período de funciones de un Consejero, el número de Consejeros de cada Cuerpo, y los límites de la zona en que cada Cuerpo de Consejeros ha de operar, serán decididos por la Casa Universal de Justicia.
2. Un Consejero funciona como tal únicamente dentro del área que le corresponde y si traslada su residencia fuera de la zona para la que ha sido nombrado, abandona automáticamente su nombramiento.
3. El rango y deberes específicos de un Consejero hacen que no sea elegible para servicio en cuerpos administrativos locales o nacionales. Si es elegido para la Casa Universal de Justicia deja de ser Consejero.
X. LOS CUERPOS AUXILIARES.
En cada zona habrá dos Cuerpos Auxiliares, uno para la protección y otro para la propagación de la Fe, el número de cuyos miembros será establecido por la Casa Universal de justicia. Los miembros de estos Cuerpos Auxiliares servirán bajo la dirección del Cuerpo Continental de Consejeros y actuarán como sus representantes, asistentes y consejeros.
1. Los miembros de los Cuerpos Auxiliares serán nombrados de entre los creyentes de esa zona por el Cuerpo Continental de Consejeros.
2. Cada miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar recibirá un área específica en la que servirá y, a no ser que sea comisionado para ello por los Consejeros, no funcionará como miembro de Cuerpo Auxiliar fuera de esa área.
3. Un miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar es elegible para cualquier cargo electivo, pero si es elegido a un cargo administrativo en un nivel nacional o local debe decidir si seguirá como miembro del Cuerpo o si aceptará el cargo administrativo, ya que no puede servir en ambas funciones al mismo tiempo. Si es elegido para la Casa Universal de Justicia deja de ser miembro del Cuerpo Auxiliar.
XI. ENMIENDAS
Esta Constitución puede ser enmendada por decisión de la Casa Universal de Justicia cuando estén presentes todos sus miembros.
Notas:
(1) Veintiuno de abril de 1963 d.C.
(2) Estatutos de una Asamblea Espiritual Local.
(3) Declaración de Fideicomiso y Estatutos de una Asamblea Espiritual Nacional.
Declaration of Trust
By Laws
[page 1]
Bahá'í World Centre
November 26, 1972
Haifa, Israel
Declaration of Trust
[page 2]
[this page blank]
[page 3]
In the Name of God, the One, the Incomparable, the All-Powerful, the All- Knowing, the All-wise.
The light that is shed from the heaven of bounty, and the benediction that shineth from the dawning-place of the will of God, the Lord of the Kingdom of Names, rest upon Him Who is the supreme Mediator, the Most Exalted Pen, Him Whom God hath made the dayspring of His most exalted attributes. Through Him the light of unity hath shone forth above the horizon of the world, and the law of oneness hath been revealed amidst the nations, who, with radiant faces, have turned towards the Supreme Horizon, and acknowledged that which the Tongue of Utterance hath spoken in the kingdom of His knowledge: "Earth and heaven, glory and dominion, are God's, the Omnipotent, the almighty, the Lord of grace abounding!"
With joyous and thankful hearts we testify to the abundance of God's Mercy, to the perfection of His Justice and to the fulfilment of His Ancient Promise.
Bahá'u'lláh, the Revealer of God's Word in this Day, the Source of Authority, the Fountainhead of Justice, the Creator of a new World Order, the Establisher of the Most Great Peace, the Inspirer and Founder of a world civilization, the Judge, the Lawgiver, the Unifier and Redeemer of all mankind, has proclaimed the advent of God's Kingdom on earth, has formulated its laws and ordinances, enunciated its principles, and ordained its institutions. To direct and canalize the forces released by His Revelation He instituted His Covenant
[page 4]
whose power has preserved the integrity of His Faith, maintained its unity and stimulated it world-wide expansion throughout the successive ministries of `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. It continues to fulfil its life-giving purpose through the agency of the Universal House of Justice whose fundamental object, as one of the twin successors of Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá, is to ensure the continuity of that divinely- appointed authority which flows, and to maintain the integrity and flexibility of its teachings.
The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion, declares Bahá'u'lláh, is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity. This is the straight Path, the fixed and immovable foundation. Whatsoever is raised on this foundation, the changes and chances of the world can never impair its strength, nor will the revolution of countless centuries undermine its structure.
Unto the Most Holy Book, `Abdu'l-Bahá declares in His Will and Testament, every one must turn, and all that is not expressly recorded therein must be referred to the Universal House of Justice.
The provenance, the authority, the duties, the sphere of action of the Universal House of Justice all derive from the revealed Word of Bahá'u'lláh which, together with the interpretations and expositions of the Centre of the Covenant and the Guardian of the Cause - who, after `Abdu'l-Bahá, is the sole authority in the interpretation of Bahá'í Scripture - constitute the binding terms of reference of the Universal House of Justice and are its bedrock foundation. The authority of these Texts is absolute and immutable until such time as Almighty God shall reveal His new Manifestation to Whom will belong all authority and power.
There being no successor to Shoghi Effendi as Guardian of the Cause of God, the Universal House of Justice is the Head of the Faith and its supreme institution, to which all must turn, and in it rests the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the unity and progress of the Cause of God. Further, there devolve upon it duties of directing and coordinating the work of the Hands of the Cause, of ensuring the continuing discharge of the functions of protection and propagation vested in the institution, and of providing for the receipt and disbursement of the Huququ'llah.
[page 5]
Among the powers and duties with which the Universal House of Justice has been invested are:
[page 6]
The members of the Universal House of Justice, designated by Bahá'u'lláh "the Men of Justice", "the people of Baha who have been mentioned in the Book of Names", "the Trustees of God amongst His servants and the daysprings of authority in His countries" , shall in the discharge of their responsibilities ever bear in mind the following standards set forth by Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Cause of God:
"In the conduct of the administrative affairs of the Faith, in the enactment of the legislation necessary to supplement the laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the members of the Universal House of Justice, it should be borne in mind, are not, as Bahá'u'lláh's utterances clearly imply, responsible to those whom they represent, nor are they allowed to be governed by the feelings, the general opinion, and even the convictions of the mass of the faithful, or of those who directly elect them. They are to follow, in a prayerful attitude, the dictates and promptings of their conscience. They may, indeed they must, acquaint themselves with the conditions prevailing among the community, must weigh dispassionately in their minds the merits of any case presented for their consideration, but must reserve for themselves the right of an unfettered decision. `God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willeth', is Bahá'u'lláh's incontrovertible assurance. They, and not the body of those who either directly or indirectly elect them, have thus been made the recipients of the divine guidance which is at once the life-blood and ultimate safeguard of this Revelation."
The Universal house of Justice was first elected on the first day of the Festival of Ridvan in the one hundred and twentieth year of the Bahá'í Era (April 21, 1963), when the members of the National Spiritual Assemblies, in accordance with the provisions of the will and Testament of `Abdu'l- Baha, and in response to the summons of the Hands of the Cause of God, the Chief Stewards of Bahá'u'lláh's embryonic World Commonwealth, brought into being this "crowning glory" of the
[page 7]
administrative institutions of Bahá'u'lláh, the very "nucleus and forerunner" of His World Order. Now, therefore, in obedience to the Command of God and with entire reliance upon Him, we, the members of the Universal House of Justice, set our hands and its seal to this Declaration of Trust which, together with the By-Laws hereto appended, form the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice.
(signed)
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By-Laws
Preamble
The Universal House of Justice is the supreme institution of an Administrative Order whose salient features, whose authority and whose principles of operation are clearly enunciated in the Sacred Writings of the Bahá'í Faith and their authorized interpretations. This Administrative Order consists, on the one hand, of a series of elected councils, universal, secondary and local, in which are vested legislative, executive and judicial powers over the Bahá'í community and, on the other, of eminent and de voted believers appointed for the specific purposes of protecting and propagating the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh under the guidance of the Head of that Faith.
This Administrative Order is the nucleus and pattern of the world Order adumbrated by Bahá'u'lláh. In the course of its divinely propelled organic growth its institutions will expand, putting forth auxiliary branches and developing subordinate agencies, multiplying their activities and diversifying their functions, in consonance with the principles and purposes revealed by Bahá'u'lláh for the progress of the human race.
I. Membership in the Bahá'í Community
The Bahá'í community shall consist of all persons recognized by the Universal house of Justice as possessing the qualifications of Bahá'í Faith and practice.
1. In order to be eligible to vote and hold elective office, a Bahá'í must have attained the age of twenty-one years.
2. The rights, privileges and duties of individual Bahá'ís are as set forth in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the Universal House of Justice.
II. Local Spiritual Assemblies
Whenever in any locality the number of Bahá'ís resident therein who have attained the age of twenty-one exceeds nine, these shall on the First Day of Ridvan convene and elect a local administrative body
[page 9]
of nine members to be known as the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of that locality. Every such Spiritual Assembly shall be elected annually thereafter upon each successive First Day of Ridvan. The members shall hold office for the term of one year or until their successors are elected. When, however, the number of Bahá'ís as aforesaid in any locality is exactly nine, these shall on the First Day of Ridvan constitute themselves the Local Spiritual Assembly by joint declaration.
1. The general powers and duties of a Local Spiritual Assembly are as set forth in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the Universal House of Justice.
2. A Local Spiritual Assembly shall exercise full jurisdiction over all Bahá'í activities and affairs with its locality, subject to the provisions of the Local Bahá'í Constitution ( By-Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly)
3. The area of jurisdiction of a Local Spiritual Assembly shall be decided by the National Spiritual Assembly in accordance with the principle laid down for each country by the Universal House of Justice.
III. National Spiritual Assemblies
Whenever it is decided by the Universal House of Justice to form in any country or region a National Spiritual Assembly, the voting members of the Bahá'í community of that country or region shall, in a manner and at a time to be decided by the Universal House of Justice, elect their delegates to their National Convention. These delegates shall, in turn, elect in the manner provided in the National Bahá'í Constitution (Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of a National Spiritual Assembly) a body of nine members to be known as the National spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of that country or region. The members shall continue in office for a period of one year or until their successors shall be elected.
1. The general powers and duties of a National Spiritual Assembly are as set forth in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the Universal House of Justice.
2. The National Spiritual Assembly shall have exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the activities and affairs of the Bahá'í Faith throughout its area. It shall endeavour to stimulate, unify and co-
[page 10]
ordinate the manifold activities of the Local Spiritual Assemblies and of individual Bahá'ís in its area and by all possible means assist them to promote the oneness of mankind. It shall furthermore represent its national Bahá'í community in relation to other national Bahá'í communities and to the Universal house of Justice.
3. The area of jurisdiction of a National Spiritual Assembly shall be as defined by the Universal House of Justice.
4. The principal business of the National Convention shall be consultation on Bahá'í activities, plans and policies and the election of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly, as set forth in the National Bahá'í Constitution.
a) If in any year the National Spiritual Assembly shall consider that it is impracticable or unwise to hold the National convention, the said Assembly shall provide ways and means by which the annual election and the other essential business of the Convention may be conducted.
b) Vacancies in the membership of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by a vote of the delegates composing the Convention which elected the Assembly, the ballot to be taken by correspondence or any other manner decided by the National Spiritual Assembly.
IV. Obligations of Members of Spiritual Assemblies
Among the most outstanding and sacred duties incumbent upon those who have been called upon to initiate, direct and coordinate the affairs of the Cause of God as members of its Spiritual Assemblies are: to win by every means in their power the confidence and affection of those whom it is their privilege to serve; to investigate and acquaint themselves with the considered views, the prevailing sentiments and the personal convictions of those whose welfare it is their solemn obligation to promote; to purge their deliberations and the general conduct of their affairs of self- contained aloofness, the suspicion of secrecy, the stifling atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness and of every word and deed that may savour of partiality, self-centredness and prejudice; and while retaining the sacred right of final decision in their hands, to invite discussion, ventilate grievances, welcome advice and foster the sense of interdependence and co-
[page 11]
partnership, of understanding and mutual confidence between themselves and all other Bahá'ís.
V. The Universal House of Justice
The Universal House of Justice shall consist of nine men who have been elected from the Bahá'í community in the manner hereinafter provided.
a) An election of the Universal House of Justice shall be held once every five years unless otherwise decided by the Universal House of Justice, and those elected shall continue in office until such time as their successors shall be elected and the first meeting of these successors is duly held.
b) Upon receiving the call to Convention each National Spiritual Assembly shall submit to the Universal House of Justice a list of the names of its members. The recognition and seating of the delegates to the International Convention shall be vested in the Universal House of Justice.
c) The principal business of the International Convention shall be the election of the Universal House of Justice, to deliberate on the affairs of the Bahá'í Cause throughout the world, and to make recommendations and suggestions for the consideration of the Universal House of Justice.
d) The sessions of the International Convention shall be conducted in such manner as the Universal house of Justice shall from time to time decide.
e) The Universal House of Justice shall provide a procedure whereby those delegates who are unable to be present in person at the International Convention shall cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
f) If at any time of an election the Universal House of Justice shall consider that it is impracticable or unwise to hold the Inter-
[page 12]
national Convention it shall determine how the election shall take place.
g) On the day of the election the ballots of all voters shall be scrutinized and counted and the result certified by tellers appointed in accordance with the instructions of the Universal House of Justice.
h) If a member of a National Spiritual Assembly who has voted by mail ceases to be a member of that National Spiritual Assembly between the time of casting his ballot and the date of the counting of the ballots, his ballot shall nevertheless remain valid unless in the interval his successor shall have been elected and the ballot of such successor shall have been received by the tellers.
i) In case by reason of a tie vote or votes the full membership of the Universal House of Justice is not determined on the first ballot, then one or more additional ballots shall be held on the persons tied until all members are elected. The electors in the case of additional ballots shall be the members of National spiritual Assemblies in office at the time each subsequent vote is taken.
2. Vacancies in Membership
A vacancy in the membership of the Universal House of Justice will occur upon the death of a member or in the following cases:
a) Should any member of the Universal House of Justice commit a sin injurious to the common weal, he may be dismissed from membership by the Universal House of Justice.
b) The Universal House of Justice may at its discretion declare a vacancy with respect to any member who in its judgement is unable to fulfil the functions of membership.
c) A member may relinquish his membership on the Universal House of Justice only with the approval of the Universal House of Justice.
3. By-Election
If a vacancy in the membership of the Universal House of Justice occurs, the Universal House of Justice shall call a by-election at the
[page 13]
earliest possible date unless such date, in the judgement of the Universal house of Justice, falls too close to the date of a regular election of the entire membership, in which case the Universal House of Justice may, at its discretion, defer the filling of the vacancy to the time of the regular election. f a by-election is held the voters shall be the members of the National Spiritual Assemblies in office at the time of the by-election.
4. Meetings
a) After the election of the Universal House of Justice the first meeting shall be called by the member elected by the highest number of votes or, in his absence or other incapacity, by the member elected by the next highest number of votes or, in the case two or more members have received the same highest number of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those members. Subsequent meetings shall be called in the manner decided by the Universal House of Justice.
b) The Universal House of Justice has no officers. It shall provide for the conduct of its meetings and shall organize its activities in such manner as it shall from time to time decide.
c) The business of the Universal House of Justice shall be conducted by the full membership in consultation, except that the Universal House of Justice may from time to time provide for quorums of less of less than the full membership for specified classes of business.
5. Signature
The signature of the Universal house of justice shall be the words "The Universal house of Justice" or in Persian "Baytu'l-`Adl-i-A'zam" written by hand by any one of its members upon authority of the Universal House of Justice, to which shall be affixed in each case the Seal of the Universal House of Justice.
6. Records
The Universal House of justice shall provide for the recording and verification of its decisions in such manner as shall, from time to time, judge necessary.
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VI. Bahá'í Elections
In order to preserve the spiritual character and purpose of Bahá'í elections the practices of nomination or electioneering, or any other procedure or activity detrimental to that character and purpose shall be eschewed. A silent and prayerful atmosphere shall prevail during the election to that each elector may vote for none but those whom prayer and reflection inspire him to uphold.
1. All Bahá'í elections, except elections of officers of Local and National Spiritual Assemblies and committees, shall be by plurality vote taken by secret ballot.
2. Election of the officers of a Spiritual Assembly or committee shall be by a majority vote of the Assembly or committee taken by secret ballot.
3. In case by reason of a tie vote or votes the full membership of an elected body is not determined on the first ballot, then one or more additional ballots shall be taken on the persons tied until all members are elected.
4. The duties and rights of a Bahá'í elector may not be assigned nor may they be exercised by proxy.
VII. The Right of Review
The Universal House of Justice has the right to review any decision or action of any Spiritual Assembly, National or Local, and to approve, modify or reverse such decision or action. The Universal House of Justice also has the right to intervene in any matter in which a Spiritual Assembly is failing to take action or to reach a decision and, at its discretion, to require that action be taken, or itself to take action directly in the matter.
VIII. Appeals
The right of appeal exists in the circumstances, and shall be exercised according to the procedures, outlined below:
1. a) Any member of a local Bahá'í community may appeal from a decision of his Local Spiritual Assembly to the National Spiritual Assembly which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or refer it back to the Local Spiritual Assembly for reconsideration. If such an appeal concerns the
[page 15]
membership of a person in the Bahá'í community, the National Spiritual Assembly is obliged to take jurisdiction of and decide the case.
b) Any Bahá'í may appeal from a decision of his National Spiritual Assembly to the Universal house of Justice which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or leave it within the final jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly.
c) If any differences arise between two or more Local Spiritual Assemblies and if these Assemblies are unable to resolve them, any one such Assembly may bring the matter to the National Spiritual Assembly which shall thereupon take jurisdiction of the case. If the decision of the National Spiritual Assembly thereon is unsatisfactory to any of the Assemblies concerned, or if a Local Spiritual Assembly at any time has reason to believe that actions of its National spiritual Assembly are affecting adversely the welfare and unity of that Local Assembly's community, it shall, in either case, after seeking to compose its difference of opinion with the National Spiritual Assembly, have the right of appeal to the Universal House of Justice, which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or leave it within the final jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly.
2. An appellant, whether institution or individual, shall in the first instance make appeal to the Assembly whose decision is questioned, either for reconsideration of the case by that Assembly or for submission to a higher body. In the latter case the Assembly is in duty bound to submit the appeal together with full particulars of the matter. If an Assembly refuses to submit the appeal, or fails to do so within a reasonable time, the appellant may take the case directly to the higher authority.
IX. The boards of Counsellors
The institution of the boards of Counsellors was brought into being by the Universal House of Justice to extend into the future the specific functions of protection and propagation conferred upon the Hands of the Cause of God. The members of these boards are appointed by the Universal House of Justice.
[page 16]
1. The term of office of a Counsellor, the number of Counsellors on each Board, and the boundaries of the zone in which each Board of Counsellors shall operate, shall be decided by the Universal House of Justice.
2. A Counsellor functions as such only within his zone and should he move his residence out of the zone for which he is appointed he automatically relinquishes his appointment.
3. The rank and specific duties of a Counsellor render him ineligible for service on local and national administrative bodies. If elected to the Universal House of Justice he ceases to be a Counsellor.
X. The Auxiliary Boards
In each zone there shall be two Auxiliary boards, one for the protection and one for the propagation of the Faith, the numbers of whose members shall be set by the Universal House of Justice. The members of these Auxiliary Boards shall serve under the direction of the Continental Boards of Counsellors and shall act as their deputies, assistants and advisers.
1. The members of the Auxiliary Boards shall be appointed from among the believers of that zone by the Continental Board of Counsellors.
2. Each Auxiliary Board member shall be allotted a specific area in which to serve and, unless specifically deputized by the Continental Counsellors, shall not function as a member of the Auxiliary Board outside that area.
3. An Auxiliary board member is eligible for any elective office but if elected to an administrative post on a national or local level must decide whether to retain membership on the Board or accept the administrative post, since he may not serve in both capacities at the same time. If elected to the Universal House of Justice he ceases to be a member of the Auxiliary Board.
XI. Amendment
This Constitution may be amended by decision of the Universal House of Justice when the full membership is present.
By Laws
Preamble
I. Membership in the Bahá'í Community
II. Local Spiritual Assemblies
III. National Spiritual Assemblies
IV. Obligations of Members of Spiritual Assemblies
V. The Universal House of Justice
2. Vacancies in MembershipVI. Bahá'í Elections
3. By-Election
4. Meetings
5. Signatures
6. Records
VII. The Right of Review
VIII. Appeals
IX. The boards of Counsellors
X. The Auxiliary Boards
XI. Amendment
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[page 1]
The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice
Bahá'í World Centre
November 26, 1972
Haifa, Israel
[page 2]
[this page blank]
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In the Name of God, the One, the Incomparable, the All-Powerful, the All- Knowing, the All-wise.
The light that is shed from the heaven of bounty, and the benediction that shineth from the dawning-place of the will of God, the Lord of the Kingdom of Names, rest upon Him Who is the supreme Mediator, the Most Exalted Pen, Him Whom God hath made the dayspring of His most exalted attributes. Through Him the light of unity hath shone forth above the horizon of the world, and the law of oneness hath been revealed amidst the nations, who, with radiant faces, have turned towards the Supreme Horizon, and acknowledged that which the Tongue of Utterance hath spoken in the kingdom of His knowledge: "Earth and heaven, glory and dominion, are God's, the Omnipotent, the almighty, the Lord of grace abounding!"
With joyous and thankful hearts we testify to the abundance of God's Mercy, to the perfection of His Justice and to the fulfilment of His Ancient Promise.
Bahá'u'lláh, the Revealer of God's Word in this Day, the Source of Authority, the Fountainhead of Justice, the Creator of a new World Order, the Establisher of the Most Great Peace, the Inspirer and Founder of a world civilization, the Judge, the Lawgiver, the Unifier and Redeemer of all mankind, has proclaimed the advent of God's Kingdom on earth, has formulated its laws and ordinances, enunciated its principles, and ordained its institutions. To direct and canalize the forces released by His Revelation He instituted His Covenant
[page 4]
whose power has preserved the integrity of His Faith, maintained its unity and stimulated it world-wide expansion throughout the successive ministries of `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. It continues to fulfil its life-giving purpose through the agency of the Universal House of Justice whose fundamental object, as one of the twin successors of Bahá'u'lláh and `Abdu'l-Bahá, is to ensure the continuity of that divinely- appointed authority which flows, and to maintain the integrity and flexibility of its teachings.
The fundamental purpose animating the Faith of God and His Religion, declares Bahá'u'lláh, is to safeguard the interests and promote the unity of the human race, and to foster the spirit of love and fellowship amongst men. Suffer it not to become a source of dissension and discord, of hate and enmity. This is the straight Path, the fixed and immovable foundation. Whatsoever is raised on this foundation, the changes and chances of the world can never impair its strength, nor will the revolution of countless centuries undermine its structure.
Unto the Most Holy Book, `Abdu'l-Bahá declares in His Will and Testament, every one must turn, and all that is not expressly recorded therein must be referred to the Universal House of Justice.
The provenance, the authority, the duties, the sphere of action of the Universal House of Justice all derive from the revealed Word of Bahá'u'lláh which, together with the interpretations and expositions of the Centre of the Covenant and the Guardian of the Cause - who, after `Abdu'l-Bahá, is the sole authority in the interpretation of Bahá'í Scripture - constitute the binding terms of reference of the Universal House of Justice and are its bedrock foundation. The authority of these Texts is absolute and immutable until such time as Almighty God shall reveal His new Manifestation to Whom will belong all authority and power.
There being no successor to Shoghi Effendi as Guardian of the Cause of God, the Universal House of Justice is the Head of the Faith and its supreme institution, to which all must turn, and in it rests the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the unity and progress of the Cause of God. Further, there devolve upon it duties of directing and coordinating the work of the Hands of the Cause, of ensuring the continuing discharge of the functions of protection and propagation vested in the institution, and of providing for the receipt and disbursement of the Huququ'llah.
[page 5]
Among the powers and duties with which the Universal House of Justice has been invested are:
To ensure the preservation of the Sacred Texts and to safeguard their inviolability; to analyze, classify, and coordinate the Writings; and to defend and protect the Cause of God and emancipate it from the fetters of repression and persecution;
To advance the interests of the Faith of God; to proclaim, propagate and teach its Message; to expand and consolidate the institutions of its Administrative Order; to usher in the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh; to promote the attainment of those spiritual qualities which should characterize Bahá'í life individually and collectively; to do its utmost for the realization of greater cordiality and comity amongst the nations and for the attainment of universal peace; and to foster that which is conducive to the enlightenment and betterment of the world:
To enact laws and ordinances not expressly recorded in the Sacred Texts; to abrogate, according to the changes and requirements of the time, its own enactments; to deliberate and decide upon all problems which have caused difference; to elucidate questions that are obscure; to safeguard the personal rights, freedom and initiative of individuals; and to give attention to the preservation of human honour, to the development of countries and the stability of states:
To promulgate and apply the laws and principles of the Faith; to safeguard and enforce that rectitude of conduct which the Law of God enjoins; to preserve and develop the spiritual and Administrative Centre of the Bahá'í Faith, permanently fixed in the twin cities of `Akka and Haifa; to administer the affairs of the Bahá'í community throughout the world; to guide, organize, coordinate and unify its activities; to found institutions; to be responsible for ensuring that no body or institution within the Cause abuse its privileges or decline in the exercise of its rights and prerogatives; and to provide for the receipt, disposition, administration and safeguarding of the funds, endowments and other properties that are entrusted to its care:
To adjudicate disputes falling within its purview; to give judgement in cases of violation of the laws of the Faith and to pronounce
[page 6]
The members of the Universal House of Justice, designated by Bahá'u'lláh "the Men of Justice", "the people of Baha who have been mentioned in the Book of Names", "the Trustees of God amongst His servants and the daysprings of authority in His countries" , shall in the discharge of their responsibilities ever bear in mind the following standards set forth by Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Cause of God:
"In the conduct of the administrative affairs of the Faith, in the enactment of the legislation necessary to supplement the laws of the Kitab-i-Aqdas, the members of the Universal House of Justice, it should be borne in mind, are not, as Bahá'u'lláh's utterances clearly imply, responsible to those whom they represent, nor are they allowed to be governed by the feelings, the general opinion, and even the convictions of the mass of the faithful, or of those who directly elect them. They are to follow, in a prayerful attitude, the dictates and promptings of their conscience. They may, indeed they must, acquaint themselves with the conditions prevailing among the community, must weigh dispassionately in their minds the merits of any case presented for their consideration, but must reserve for themselves the right of an unfettered decision. `God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willeth', is Bahá'u'lláh's incontrovertible assurance. They, and not the body of those who either directly or indirectly elect them, have thus been made the recipients of the divine guidance which is at once the life-blood and ultimate safeguard of this Revelation."
The Universal house of Justice was first elected on the first day of the Festival of Ridvan in the one hundred and twentieth year of the Bahá'í Era (April 21, 1963), when the members of the National Spiritual Assemblies, in accordance with the provisions of the will and Testament of `Abdu'l- Baha, and in response to the summons of the Hands of the Cause of God, the Chief Stewards of Bahá'u'lláh's embryonic World Commonwealth, brought into being this "crowning glory" of the
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administrative institutions of Bahá'u'lláh, the very "nucleus and forerunner" of His World Order. Now, therefore, in obedience to the Command of God and with entire reliance upon Him, we, the members of the Universal House of Justice, set our hands and its seal to this Declaration of Trust which, together with the By-Laws hereto appended, form the Constitution of the Universal House of Justice.
(signed)
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Hugh E. Chance
Hushmand Fatheazam
Amoz E. Gibson
David Hoffman
H. Borrah Kavelin
Ali Nakhjavani
David S. Ruhe
Ian C. Semple
Charles Wolcott
Signed in the city of Haifa on the fourth day of the month of Qawl in the one hundred and twenty-ninth year of the Bahá'í Era, corresponding to the twenty-sixth day of the month of November in the year 1972 according to the Gregorian calendar.
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By-Laws
Preamble
The Universal House of Justice is the supreme institution of an Administrative Order whose salient features, whose authority and whose principles of operation are clearly enunciated in the Sacred Writings of the Bahá'í Faith and their authorized interpretations. This Administrative Order consists, on the one hand, of a series of elected councils, universal, secondary and local, in which are vested legislative, executive and judicial powers over the Bahá'í community and, on the other, of eminent and de voted believers appointed for the specific purposes of protecting and propagating the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh under the guidance of the Head of that Faith.
This Administrative Order is the nucleus and pattern of the world Order adumbrated by Bahá'u'lláh. In the course of its divinely propelled organic growth its institutions will expand, putting forth auxiliary branches and developing subordinate agencies, multiplying their activities and diversifying their functions, in consonance with the principles and purposes revealed by Bahá'u'lláh for the progress of the human race.
I. Membership in the Bahá'í Community
The Bahá'í community shall consist of all persons recognized by the Universal house of Justice as possessing the qualifications of Bahá'í Faith and practice.
1. In order to be eligible to vote and hold elective office, a Bahá'í must have attained the age of twenty-one years.
2. The rights, privileges and duties of individual Bahá'ís are as set forth in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the Universal House of Justice.
II. Local Spiritual Assemblies
Whenever in any locality the number of Bahá'ís resident therein who have attained the age of twenty-one exceeds nine, these shall on the First Day of Ridvan convene and elect a local administrative body
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of nine members to be known as the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of that locality. Every such Spiritual Assembly shall be elected annually thereafter upon each successive First Day of Ridvan. The members shall hold office for the term of one year or until their successors are elected. When, however, the number of Bahá'ís as aforesaid in any locality is exactly nine, these shall on the First Day of Ridvan constitute themselves the Local Spiritual Assembly by joint declaration.
1. The general powers and duties of a Local Spiritual Assembly are as set forth in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the Universal House of Justice.
2. A Local Spiritual Assembly shall exercise full jurisdiction over all Bahá'í activities and affairs with its locality, subject to the provisions of the Local Bahá'í Constitution ( By-Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly)
3. The area of jurisdiction of a Local Spiritual Assembly shall be decided by the National Spiritual Assembly in accordance with the principle laid down for each country by the Universal House of Justice.
III. National Spiritual Assemblies
Whenever it is decided by the Universal House of Justice to form in any country or region a National Spiritual Assembly, the voting members of the Bahá'í community of that country or region shall, in a manner and at a time to be decided by the Universal House of Justice, elect their delegates to their National Convention. These delegates shall, in turn, elect in the manner provided in the National Bahá'í Constitution (Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of a National Spiritual Assembly) a body of nine members to be known as the National spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of that country or region. The members shall continue in office for a period of one year or until their successors shall be elected.
1. The general powers and duties of a National Spiritual Assembly are as set forth in the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, `Abdu'l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi and as laid down by the Universal House of Justice.
2. The National Spiritual Assembly shall have exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the activities and affairs of the Bahá'í Faith throughout its area. It shall endeavour to stimulate, unify and co-
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ordinate the manifold activities of the Local Spiritual Assemblies and of individual Bahá'ís in its area and by all possible means assist them to promote the oneness of mankind. It shall furthermore represent its national Bahá'í community in relation to other national Bahá'í communities and to the Universal house of Justice.
3. The area of jurisdiction of a National Spiritual Assembly shall be as defined by the Universal House of Justice.
4. The principal business of the National Convention shall be consultation on Bahá'í activities, plans and policies and the election of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly, as set forth in the National Bahá'í Constitution.
a) If in any year the National Spiritual Assembly shall consider that it is impracticable or unwise to hold the National convention, the said Assembly shall provide ways and means by which the annual election and the other essential business of the Convention may be conducted.
b) Vacancies in the membership of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by a vote of the delegates composing the Convention which elected the Assembly, the ballot to be taken by correspondence or any other manner decided by the National Spiritual Assembly.
IV. Obligations of Members of Spiritual Assemblies
Among the most outstanding and sacred duties incumbent upon those who have been called upon to initiate, direct and coordinate the affairs of the Cause of God as members of its Spiritual Assemblies are: to win by every means in their power the confidence and affection of those whom it is their privilege to serve; to investigate and acquaint themselves with the considered views, the prevailing sentiments and the personal convictions of those whose welfare it is their solemn obligation to promote; to purge their deliberations and the general conduct of their affairs of self- contained aloofness, the suspicion of secrecy, the stifling atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness and of every word and deed that may savour of partiality, self-centredness and prejudice; and while retaining the sacred right of final decision in their hands, to invite discussion, ventilate grievances, welcome advice and foster the sense of interdependence and co-
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partnership, of understanding and mutual confidence between themselves and all other Bahá'ís.
V. The Universal House of Justice
The Universal House of Justice shall consist of nine men who have been elected from the Bahá'í community in the manner hereinafter provided.
a) An election of the Universal House of Justice shall be held once every five years unless otherwise decided by the Universal House of Justice, and those elected shall continue in office until such time as their successors shall be elected and the first meeting of these successors is duly held.
b) Upon receiving the call to Convention each National Spiritual Assembly shall submit to the Universal House of Justice a list of the names of its members. The recognition and seating of the delegates to the International Convention shall be vested in the Universal House of Justice.
c) The principal business of the International Convention shall be the election of the Universal House of Justice, to deliberate on the affairs of the Bahá'í Cause throughout the world, and to make recommendations and suggestions for the consideration of the Universal House of Justice.
d) The sessions of the International Convention shall be conducted in such manner as the Universal house of Justice shall from time to time decide.
e) The Universal House of Justice shall provide a procedure whereby those delegates who are unable to be present in person at the International Convention shall cast their ballots for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
f) If at any time of an election the Universal House of Justice shall consider that it is impracticable or unwise to hold the Inter-
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national Convention it shall determine how the election shall take place.
g) On the day of the election the ballots of all voters shall be scrutinized and counted and the result certified by tellers appointed in accordance with the instructions of the Universal House of Justice.
h) If a member of a National Spiritual Assembly who has voted by mail ceases to be a member of that National Spiritual Assembly between the time of casting his ballot and the date of the counting of the ballots, his ballot shall nevertheless remain valid unless in the interval his successor shall have been elected and the ballot of such successor shall have been received by the tellers.
i) In case by reason of a tie vote or votes the full membership of the Universal House of Justice is not determined on the first ballot, then one or more additional ballots shall be held on the persons tied until all members are elected. The electors in the case of additional ballots shall be the members of National spiritual Assemblies in office at the time each subsequent vote is taken.
2. Vacancies in Membership
A vacancy in the membership of the Universal House of Justice will occur upon the death of a member or in the following cases:
a) Should any member of the Universal House of Justice commit a sin injurious to the common weal, he may be dismissed from membership by the Universal House of Justice.
b) The Universal House of Justice may at its discretion declare a vacancy with respect to any member who in its judgement is unable to fulfil the functions of membership.
c) A member may relinquish his membership on the Universal House of Justice only with the approval of the Universal House of Justice.
3. By-Election
If a vacancy in the membership of the Universal House of Justice occurs, the Universal House of Justice shall call a by-election at the
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earliest possible date unless such date, in the judgement of the Universal house of Justice, falls too close to the date of a regular election of the entire membership, in which case the Universal House of Justice may, at its discretion, defer the filling of the vacancy to the time of the regular election. f a by-election is held the voters shall be the members of the National Spiritual Assemblies in office at the time of the by-election.
4. Meetings
a) After the election of the Universal House of Justice the first meeting shall be called by the member elected by the highest number of votes or, in his absence or other incapacity, by the member elected by the next highest number of votes or, in the case two or more members have received the same highest number of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those members. Subsequent meetings shall be called in the manner decided by the Universal House of Justice.
b) The Universal House of Justice has no officers. It shall provide for the conduct of its meetings and shall organize its activities in such manner as it shall from time to time decide.
c) The business of the Universal House of Justice shall be conducted by the full membership in consultation, except that the Universal House of Justice may from time to time provide for quorums of less of less than the full membership for specified classes of business.
5. Signature
The signature of the Universal house of justice shall be the words "The Universal house of Justice" or in Persian "Baytu'l-`Adl-i-A'zam" written by hand by any one of its members upon authority of the Universal House of Justice, to which shall be affixed in each case the Seal of the Universal House of Justice.
6. Records
The Universal House of justice shall provide for the recording and verification of its decisions in such manner as shall, from time to time, judge necessary.
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VI. Bahá'í Elections
In order to preserve the spiritual character and purpose of Bahá'í elections the practices of nomination or electioneering, or any other procedure or activity detrimental to that character and purpose shall be eschewed. A silent and prayerful atmosphere shall prevail during the election to that each elector may vote for none but those whom prayer and reflection inspire him to uphold.
1. All Bahá'í elections, except elections of officers of Local and National Spiritual Assemblies and committees, shall be by plurality vote taken by secret ballot.
2. Election of the officers of a Spiritual Assembly or committee shall be by a majority vote of the Assembly or committee taken by secret ballot.
3. In case by reason of a tie vote or votes the full membership of an elected body is not determined on the first ballot, then one or more additional ballots shall be taken on the persons tied until all members are elected.
4. The duties and rights of a Bahá'í elector may not be assigned nor may they be exercised by proxy.
VII. The Right of Review
The Universal House of Justice has the right to review any decision or action of any Spiritual Assembly, National or Local, and to approve, modify or reverse such decision or action. The Universal House of Justice also has the right to intervene in any matter in which a Spiritual Assembly is failing to take action or to reach a decision and, at its discretion, to require that action be taken, or itself to take action directly in the matter.
VIII. Appeals
The right of appeal exists in the circumstances, and shall be exercised according to the procedures, outlined below:
1. a) Any member of a local Bahá'í community may appeal from a decision of his Local Spiritual Assembly to the National Spiritual Assembly which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or refer it back to the Local Spiritual Assembly for reconsideration. If such an appeal concerns the
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membership of a person in the Bahá'í community, the National Spiritual Assembly is obliged to take jurisdiction of and decide the case.
b) Any Bahá'í may appeal from a decision of his National Spiritual Assembly to the Universal house of Justice which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or leave it within the final jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly.
c) If any differences arise between two or more Local Spiritual Assemblies and if these Assemblies are unable to resolve them, any one such Assembly may bring the matter to the National Spiritual Assembly which shall thereupon take jurisdiction of the case. If the decision of the National Spiritual Assembly thereon is unsatisfactory to any of the Assemblies concerned, or if a Local Spiritual Assembly at any time has reason to believe that actions of its National spiritual Assembly are affecting adversely the welfare and unity of that Local Assembly's community, it shall, in either case, after seeking to compose its difference of opinion with the National Spiritual Assembly, have the right of appeal to the Universal House of Justice, which shall determine whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or leave it within the final jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly.
2. An appellant, whether institution or individual, shall in the first instance make appeal to the Assembly whose decision is questioned, either for reconsideration of the case by that Assembly or for submission to a higher body. In the latter case the Assembly is in duty bound to submit the appeal together with full particulars of the matter. If an Assembly refuses to submit the appeal, or fails to do so within a reasonable time, the appellant may take the case directly to the higher authority.
IX. The boards of Counsellors
The institution of the boards of Counsellors was brought into being by the Universal House of Justice to extend into the future the specific functions of protection and propagation conferred upon the Hands of the Cause of God. The members of these boards are appointed by the Universal House of Justice.
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1. The term of office of a Counsellor, the number of Counsellors on each Board, and the boundaries of the zone in which each Board of Counsellors shall operate, shall be decided by the Universal House of Justice.
2. A Counsellor functions as such only within his zone and should he move his residence out of the zone for which he is appointed he automatically relinquishes his appointment.
3. The rank and specific duties of a Counsellor render him ineligible for service on local and national administrative bodies. If elected to the Universal House of Justice he ceases to be a Counsellor.
X. The Auxiliary Boards
In each zone there shall be two Auxiliary boards, one for the protection and one for the propagation of the Faith, the numbers of whose members shall be set by the Universal House of Justice. The members of these Auxiliary Boards shall serve under the direction of the Continental Boards of Counsellors and shall act as their deputies, assistants and advisers.
1. The members of the Auxiliary Boards shall be appointed from among the believers of that zone by the Continental Board of Counsellors.
2. Each Auxiliary Board member shall be allotted a specific area in which to serve and, unless specifically deputized by the Continental Counsellors, shall not function as a member of the Auxiliary Board outside that area.
3. An Auxiliary board member is eligible for any elective office but if elected to an administrative post on a national or local level must decide whether to retain membership on the Board or accept the administrative post, since he may not serve in both capacities at the same time. If elected to the Universal House of Justice he ceases to be a member of the Auxiliary Board.
XI. Amendment
This Constitution may be amended by decision of the Universal House of Justice when the full membership is present.
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