The Times of India, dated November 24, 1992

In his 9 January 1951 PROCLAMATION (the only one he ever issued), Shoghi Effendi hailed the formation of the embryonic Universal House of Justice, the International Bahá’í Council, as “the greatest event…the second epoch of the Formative Age…unsurpassed by any enterprise since the inception of the Administrative Order.” He appointed a distinguished Bahá’í as its President. Significantly, he retained the Council in an inactive status for the remainder of his ministry. Otherwise, he would have had to preside, as its Head, as specified in the Master’s Will. Upon his death, the embryonic Head was then able to emerge as active Head of this Supreme Council, an Office which could be held only by the successor Guardian of the Faith. As the Master has said: “The embryo possess from the first all perfections…all the powers…”(B.W.F. p.313)

For information on the continuing Guardianship of the Bahá’í Faith, :

Provisional National Baha’i Council of India

Secretary Dr. A. Parikh
P.O. Box 54
Vasai Road
District: Thane: 401207
Maharashtra
INDIA