**Hands (Chief Stewards)** # **NSA of France Dissolved After Accepting Remey, Five Members Stay Firm** ### "Obstinate" "Unyielding" Members Declared Ineligible for Re-Election ##### Published in *The Ministry of the Custodians 1957–1963*, pp. 202–204. ##### May 14, 1960 *** **Editorial Introduction** Notably absent from this letter is any mention of the Covenant, the *Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Baha*, the criteria for a claim to the guardianship, or even why a claim by Charles Mason Remey should be rejected. In their own words they sought "…**loyalty to the…Hands**" — despite the institution of the Hands existing only to serve under a head such as Baha'u'llah, 'Abdu'l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi, or a future guardian. Without such a head, they had no authority and ceased to be Hands upon Shoghi Effendi's passing. Their claim of following his **plans** directly contradicted his actual instructions. The coercive nature for loyalty to the Hands themselves, rather than to the Covenant, is evident in the case of the NSA of France. Members who had initially expressed belief in the continuation of the guardianship and the claim of Mason Remey — but then rejected it at the insistence of the Hands — "…**repented** their action and…\[asked]…**the Hands for forgiveness**…." ‎ *** **Dear Baha'i Friends:** Some of you already know that most of the National Assemblies have repudiated Mason Remey's claim and cabled their loyalty to the institution of the Hands. Up to the date this letter was written, twenty-five National Assemblies had sent such messages, and we are confident five of the remaining six will be received soon. To our surprise however the French National Assembly voted to recognize the claim. Our first news of this was a cable from Mr. Barafrukhteh, a member of the National Assembly, telling us that eight of its members were recognizing Mason Remey. Confirmation came from Mr. Navidi, Protection Board member, who was asked to go to France to investigate and report. He cabled that the French National Assembly was circulating the French believers to accept the claim; and as the situation seemed to be dangerous, and as Ugo and Hasan were not well and Adelbert was in Scandinavia, the Hands in the Holy Land decided to send Abu'l-Qasim Faizi, to deal with the situation on their behalf. Some of the National Assembly members repented their action and cabled the Hands for forgiveness, but five remained unyieldingly obstinate in their recognition of the claim and obstructed the actions taken by the Hands to protect the Faith. These were led by Mr. J. Marangella, General M. Darakhshan and Mr. B. Fillon, all of whom Faizi, felt to be spiritually diseased and contaminating others. Steps are being taken to find out whether the European Hands join Faizi, in recommending their expulsion in accordance with the decision of the first Bahji Conclave, that the Hands in the Holy Land were responsible for denouncing Covenant-breakers upon recommendation by the Hands of the continent concerned. A recommendation will if necessary be obtained later about Mr. Soghomonian and Mr. Harvey, the other two members of the National Assembly who support the claim. Meanwhile the French National Assembly has been dissolved and the five offending members declared ineligible for re-election. The Paris Assembly, which is loyal, is acting for the time being as the Central Assembly for France, under Faizi's guidance. Faizi, will visit all the French communities before a new election is held. We believe that the prompt action of sending Faizi, to France has prevented the infection from spreading far; cables of loyalty have been received from all the National Assemblies of Europe except the Iberian Peninsula, and the exception is believed to be due to difficulties of communication as our original "cable" had to be sent by mail. Adelbert has returned to Germany at our request to watch the situation there because of the previous strong feeling about the Guardianship in that country. Episodes such as the present tragic claim of Mason Remey serve to strengthen the Cause, and it is gratifying that his claim has secured no greater following. Even in France, we are hoping the disturbance will prove of limited extent. This letter is sent to keep the Continental Hands informed of the situation and to ask for their special prayers for France. Any further action taken regarding the three ringleaders will be communicated to you later. Meanwhile the possibility of the infection spreading to individual believers in other lands should be borne in mind. We send you all our warmest and deepest love. In the service of the beloved Guardian, **HANDS OF THE CAUSE IN THE HOLY LAND** ‎ *** [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) ***