Notes and Updates / **Archive Notes** # **Archival Classification: Baha'i Administration Interregnum (1957–1991)** #### Administrative Authority **Document History** Original Publication: January 15, 2026 Revised: February 9, 2026 [↓ PDF](https://leland-jensen-info.netlify.app/2026-01-15-bahai-admin-interregnum-1957-1991.pdf) *** ## No individual or body is recognized as holding administrative authority in the Baha'i Faith between November 4, 1957, and the establishment of the Second International Baha'i Council on January 9, 1991. ‎ #### ‎Historical Framework ‎ **First International Baha'i Council** Although Charles Mason Remey was appointed guardian-president of the First International Baha'i Council, that Council was never called into session — either before or after the passing of Shoghi Effendi. Consequently, that body produced no decisions, statements, correspondence, or documents of any kind. The classification system pertaining to the First International Baha'i Council therefore contains no authoritative material issued by the Council as a body. **Hands, Council Members - Chief Stewards** Shoghi Effendi appointed forty-two Hands to assist him, among whom were also the appointed members of the First International Baha'i Council. Upon his passing, the Hands met and rejected the continuation of the guardianship and subsequently rejected Charles Mason Remey's declaration that he was the guardian by appointment as president of the First International Baha'i Council. The Hands, including those appointed to the International Baha'i Council, chose to assume authority as "Chief Stewards," a title based on a description made by Shoghi Effendi. As an un-appointed, un-elected body, they made statements and produced correspondence; they organized, convened, elected, and published. In their own words, they "…assume\[d] the reins of authority, with no document to support us, other than the general theological statements about the Hands…"\[1]. Without legitimate authority, and by their own actions, they placed themselves in violation of the Covenant. Their resulting work is non-authoritative, invalid, and presented here as evidence of violation\[2]. The Chief Stewards (Hands) can be found under _Baha'i Administration_ → _Chief Stewards (Hands)_. **Charles Mason Remey** As the _de jure_ guardian-president appointed by Shoghi Effendi, Charles Mason Remey was the only member of the First International Baha'i Council to assume his position despite the absence of the council. The writings of Guardian-President Charles Mason Remey for the remainder of his life are presented in this archive solely as historical testimony. They are non-authoritative, notwithstanding the mistaken belief that Guardians after Shoghi Effendi retained the same singular infallibility. Charles Mason Remey appears under _Baha'i Administration_ → _First International Baha'i Council_ → _Guardian-President Charles Mason Remey_. **Dr. Leland Jensen** The "embryonic" First International Baha'i Council was aborted in utero when its appointed members failed to assume their roles with the guardian-president, instead proceeding to their untenable election of a sans-guardian Universal House of Justice. While the line of succeeding guardians remained unbroken, the path to the conferred authority of the Universal House of Justice had been severed. As neither the headless body nor the fallible guardian were able to mend the breach, an educator, authoritative by prophecy, came forward with his claim and irrefutable proofs, providing the Faith with a path forward. Baha'u'llah promised, "This is the day which shall not be followed by night…"\[3] and the Faith was not without guidance. **Second International Baha'i Council** Under the authority of Dr. Leland Jensen on January 9, 1991, the establishment of the Second International Baha'i Council ended the thirty-three year administrative interregnum period of the Baha'i Faith. The work of the Second International Baha'i Council appears under _Baha'i Administration_ → _Second International Baha'i Council_. **Joseph Pepe Remey** Upon the passing of Charles Mason Remey, Joseph Pepe Remey, fulfilling the criteria found in the _Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, became the third guardian. He declined to assume the role of guardian-president of the Second International Baha'i Council during his lifetime. The sampling of his letters are presented in this archive solely as historical testimony. Joseph Pepe Remey's appointment of a fourth guardian was done in such a way as to continue the test initiated by Shoghi Effendi and continued by Charles Mason Remey. The Second International Baha'i Council continues to function in the absence of a president-guardian with an open seat at the table. Though multiple claimants have declared themselves, none have been approached by the Council. Joseph Pepe Remey appears under _Baha'i Administration_ → _Second International Baha'i Council_ → _Guardian-President Joseph Pepe Remey_. **Succession and Infallibility** The Baha'i framework of succession, infallibility, and unique distinction arises from a progression of provisions found in the following primary authoritative documents: Baha'u'llah's *Kitab-i-Aqdas* and *Kitab-i-Ahd*, the _Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha_, Shoghi Effendi's International Baha'i Council Proclamation\[4], and Dr. Leland Jensen's *Tablet of the Dichotomy*. ‎ *** **Endnotes** **1.** *Ministry of the Custodians 1957–1963: An Account of the Stewardship of the Hands of the Cause* (Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 1992), p. 9. **2.** "On November 20, 1993, the second International Baha'i Council, the promised infallible body, removed the 'Hands' from the Baha'i religious faith for Covenant-breaking." Jensen, Dr. Leland, to E. S. Yazdani. "Letter to E. S. Yazdani, December 9, 1993." Unpublished letter, Missoula, MT, December 9, 1993. Circulated by the author during his lifetime; subsequently circulated among students. Leland Jensen Archive. Accessed March 7, 2026. https://leland-jensen.info/letters/1993-12-09-yazdani/ **3.** Baha'u'llah, "Suriy-i-Haykal," in *The Summons of the Lord of Hosts* (Haifa: Baha'i World Centre, 2002), para. 63, p. 34. **4.** Shoghi Effendi, "Formation of First International Baha'i Council," in *Messages to the Baha'i World: 1950–1957* (Wilmette, IL: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1971), p. 7–8. ‎ *** **Archive Classification** - **Collection:** Notes and Updates → Archive Notes **Reference Information** - **Permanent Link:** https://leland-jensen.info/archive-notes/2026-01-15-archival-classification-bahai-administration-1957-1991/ - **Download PDF:** [2026-01-15-bahai-admin-interregnum-1957-1991.pdf](https://leland-jensen-info.netlify.app/2026-01-15-bahai-admin-interregnum-1957-1991.pdf) - **Archive Home:** https://leland-jensen.info - **Last Updated:** 07 March 2026 - **Revision Notes:** Footnote number 2 added. *** **Related Pages** [[Tablet of the Dichotomy]] — Dr. Jensen explains Baha'i succession. *** [Site Guide](site%20guide.md)  |   [Sitemap](sitemap.md)  |   [Downloads](downloads.md)  |  [Contact Us](contact%20us.md) **Dr. Leland Jensen**: Teachings and Commentaries Archive © 2026 Baha'i Council of Dane County, all rights reserved.  [Copyright & Usage Policy](copyright.md) ***