Shoghi Effendi has repeatedly stated, to believers in every
part of the world, that the individual Bahá’ís 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.
- Shoghi Effendi (From a letter dated 13 May 1945
written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi; ‘Letters to Australia and New Zealand’)
