From the Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland
It was the ardent prayer of the Universal House of Justice in their letter of 30th May 1997:
“…that the establishment of Regional Bahá'í Councils will greatly enhance the ability of the Administrative Order to deal with the complex situations with which it is confronted in a number of countries at the present time, and thus carry forward, with increased vigour, the propagation of the Cause of God.”
In that same letter they commented on the organic growth which would occur.
“The institutions of the Administrative Order of Bahá'u'lláh, rooted in the provisions of His Revelation, have emerged gradually and organically, as the Bahá'í community has grown through the power of the divine impulse imparted to humankind in this age. The characteristics and functions of each of these institutions have evolved, and are still evolving, as are the relationships between them.”
We witness today this growing and changing relationship of the Bahá’í Council with all other institutions of the Faith in Northern Ireland. These changes, being organic, mean that we can look at the ‘baby’ one day and recognize its features but seen again in six months or a year that baby looks different. It has changed and it has matured. The National Spiritual Assembly— which is like the beating of a healthy heart in the midst of the Community, pumping spiritual love, energy and encouragement out to all the members— has not devolved all of its functions to Bahá’í Councils. (exceptions include matters of personal status) Of course the right of direct access to the National Assembly by a Local Spiritual Assembly is preserved.
“The main task of a Regional Bahá'í Council is to devise and execute expansion and consolidation plans in close collaboration with the Local Spiritual Assemblies and the believers within its area of jurisdiction……”
(Excerpts are taken from letters and guidance from the Universal House of Justice as well as “Building Momentum”)
The diagram shows, from above-down, the authority coming from the Universal House of Justice. Lines connecting these institutions have purposely been left out. The complex inter-connectedness of the various institutions is too much to express in such a simple diagram. The Council hopes, however, that this whole subject will be openly discussed by every one in the community with the purpose of enhancing knowledge of the evolving Administrative Order of our Faith.
Elected every five years by members of National Spiritual Assemblies from around the globe.
Members of the International Teaching Centre are appointed by the Universal House of Justice. (They are all Counsellors)
Elected every year at National Convention by delegates from electoral Units. Each delegate elected at a Unit Convention.
The Continental Boards of Counsellors are appointed by the Universal House of Justice.
Elected every year by members of all local Spiritual Assemblies of the region. Four in the United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales It has a variety of committees and other bodies that help carry out its work.
Appointed by Continental Boards of Counsellors.
This forms if the Assembly district has at least nine Bahá'ís aged 21 or over. Elected annually.
Appointed by Auxiliary Board Members.
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