Central America

Central America
Location of Central America
Board of Counselors		Continental Board of the Americas
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Categories: Central America • People

Central America is a subregion of the North American continent generally defined as bordering Mexico to the north and Colombia to the south, including the countries of Belize (British Honduras), Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. With regards to Bahá’í administration and the Divine Plan, Central America is often considered together with Mexico and The Caribbean islands.

Early Development

National Assemblies of Central America.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote a series of letters, or tablets, to the Bahá’ís of the United States in 1916–1917; these letters were compiled together in the book titled Tablets of the Divine Plan. The sixth of the tablets was the first to mention Latin American regions and was written on 8 April 1916, but was delayed in being presented in the United States until 1919—after the end of the First World War and the Spanish flu pandemic. The sixth tablet was translated and presented by Mirza Ahmad Sohrab on 4 April 1919, and published in Star of the West magazine on 12 December 1919.

His Holiness Christ says: Travel ye to the East and to the West of the world and summon the people to the Kingdom of God.…(travel to) the Islands of the West Indies, such as Cuba, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, the Islands of the Lesser Antilles (which includes Barbados), Bahama Islands, even the small Watling Island (now San Salvador Island in The Bahamas), have great importance…

The Central American countries a were again mentioned by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the last Tablet to the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada written on March 8, 1917. In this tablet he stated:

Oh ye believers of God in the United States and Canada! Select ye important personages, or else they by themselves, becoming severed from rest and composure of the world, may arise and travel throughout ... through the great South American republics, such as ... the Republic of Mexico, and south of Mexico in Central American Republics, such as Guatemala, Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize...

The first actions on the part of the Bahá'í community towards Latin America were that of a few individuals who made trips to Mexico, Central America, South America and the West Indies near or before this unveiling in 1919, including Mr. and Mrs. Frankland, and individuals who would later be appointed as Hands of the Cause like Roy C. Wilhelm, and Martha Root.

In 1927 Leonora Armstrong was the first Bahá'í to visit many of these countries where she gave lectures about the religion as part of her plan to compliment and complete Martha Root's unfulfilled intention of visiting all the Latin American countries for the purpose of presenting the religion to an audience.

Shoghi Effendi wrote a cable on 1 May 1936 to the Bahá'í Annual Convention of the United States and Canada, and asked for the systematic implementation of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's vision to begin. In his cable he wrote:

Appeal to assembled delegates ponder historic appeal voiced by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Tablets of the Divine Plan. Urge earnest deliberation with incoming National Assembly to insure its complete fulfillment. First century of Bahá'í Era drawing to a close. Humanity entering outer fringes most perilous stage its existence. Opportunities of present hour unimaginably precious. Would to God every State within American Republic and every Republic in American continent might ere termination of this glorious century embrace the light of the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh and establish structural basis of His World Order.

Following the 1 May cable, another cable from Shoghi Effendi came on 19 May calling for permanent pioneers to be established in all the countries of Latin America. The Bahá'í National Spiritual Assembly of the United States and Canada appointed the Inter-America Committee to take charge of the preparations.

The American Seven Year Plan (1937-1944)

During the 1937 Bahá'í North American Convention, Shoghi Effendi cabled advising the convention to prolong their deliberations to permit the delegates and the National Assembly to consult on a plan that would enable Bahá'ís to go to Latin America as well as to include the completion of the outer structure of the Bahá'í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. In 1937 the First Seven Year Plan (1937–44), which was an international plan designed by Shoghi Effendi, gave the American Bahá'ís the goal of establishing the Bahá'í Faith in every country in Latin America. With the spread of American Bahá'ís in Latin American, Bahá'í communities and Local Spiritual Assemblies began to form in 1938 across the rest of Latin America.

One of the major goals of the American Seven Year Plan (1937-1944) was to establish a center in each republic of Latin America and the Caribbean. This meant that at least one pioneer or Bahá’í enrollment would establish residence in each of the 8 countries including Mexico and the Central American States.

The Bahá’í Community of Mexico City, 1938

The first native Mexican to enroll was Maria del Refugio Ochoa of Mexico City in 1937 and the Local Spiritual Assembly of Mexico City was established in 1938 becoming .

In 1937 Midd Beatrice Irwin and Orcella Rexford were giving lectures in Mexico planting the seeds to be harvested later. Mrs. Stewart, who arrived in Mexico City in July spoke to a Woman's club on the subject of "Peace in a New World Order. After the meeting Miss Aurora Gutierrez insisted that she repeat the presentation to a group of friends. There she met nine friends who had been seeking the return of Christ for several years. After 3 meetings with increasing attendance, Mr. Pedro Espinosa, the group leader explained how they had been searching and he presented a letter signed by the original nine asking to be enrolled.

The 1938 National Convention of the United States and Canada had four honored guests from the first Local Assembly of Mexico: Pedro Espinosa, Mrs. Refugio Ochoa, Miss Zenay da Jurado, and Mrs. Maria Luisa Jurado.

At the convention of 1938, Mr. Antonio Roca of Milwaukee, Wisconsin decided to visit and teach in Mexico. He closed his business affairs at home and arrived in Monterrey on September 16th (Mexican Independence Day). He waited until the next day and contacted the El Porvenir newspaper. He was successful in getting an article published outlining the principles of the Faith published. He coordinated closely with the Mexican Spiritual Assembly in the publication of two pamphlets and aided in translating other works being undertaken by Pedro Espinosa and Madame Olia on the Assembly. He also gained publicity on two of the leading newspapers, Le Prenan and El Excelsior. After two and a half months he returned home.

At the 1939 Convention, Shoghi Effendi indicated the next step was to spread the success in Mexico to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and the West Indies. Mr. Mathew Kaszab departed immediately after the convention for Panama. He gave lectures and received some good publicity. Gerrard Sluter of Toronto went to Guatemala where government regulations restricted his work, he received assistance from three Theosophical Societies and started a study group. Antonio Rocco visited on his way to Honduras. Antonio arrived in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The newspapers were friendly but the people indifferent. Sea. Angela Ochoa Velasquez finally introduced him to a more receptive group. Mrs. Schopflocher made a short visit and Mr. Rocca left soon after, but he left a group of seven believers. John Eichenauer went to San Salvador, El Salvador and attended school to learn the language. by the end of 1939 he had three believers: Luis O. Perez, Emilie Bermudez and José Manuel Vela. Clarence Iverson joined him in 1940, and Mrs. Schopflocher assisted them with a visit. Mrs. Gayle Woolson and Mrs. Amelia Ford went to Costa Rica.

By October of 1940, there were the Assembly in Mexico City and groups in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, Guatamala City, Guatemala, and Panama. During the next 18 months, the Faith was planted in all of the remaining territories of Latin America. Pioneering became more difficult with the beginning of World War II. Miss Edna True, who had experience in a travel assisted with obtaining visas and making travel arrangements for pioneers.

A Local Assembly was formed in Costa Rica in 1941 and the teachings presented in five of its seven provinces. John Eichenauer left Clarence Iverson in San Salvador and settled in Rosario, Honduras.

The first Local Spiritual Assembly of Panama City was elected in 1946 and helped host the first All-American Teaching Conference.

The American Seven Year Plan (1946-1953)

First National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Central America, Mexico and the Antilles, elected April, 1951. Seated, left to right: Dr. David Escalante (San Salvador) , James V. Facey (Colon), Miss Elena Marsella (Ciudad Trujillo), Artemus Lamb (San José). Standing, left to right: Mrs. Louise Caswell (Tegucigalpa), Zenayda Jurado C. (Mexico City), Mrs. Cora H. Oliver (Colon), Sra. Raquel J. François de Constante (Panama City), Natalia A. Chávez (Tegucigalpa).

In 1946, after a respite of two years, a second American Seven Year Plan (1946-1953) was given by the Guardian to the United States and Canada. In this plan, the National Assembly of the United States and Canada was to be split into two independent Assemblies and a National Assembly of Central America was to be established. The plan was outlined in a cable from the Guardian at the National Convention in 1946. Additional details were provided in a letter received a few weeks later. The National Assembly quickly set to work to establish a firm foundation for this Assembly. They established a regional committee and conducted annual conferences with school sessions attended by one or more believers from each country. These were the social and spiritual equivalent of annual conventions. Other efforts focused on developing literature and assuring the establishment of centers in each country. Correspondence lessons were unexpectedly effective, starting with 400 copies being distributed and expanding to 1,900 copies. In addition, 20 pioneers moved to Central and South America with a goal of staying for indefinite periods and learning the language.

Map the the Bahá’í Community of Central America, Mexico, and the Antilles

By 1947, the committees were able to identify the goal cities to provide the needed foundation for the future National Assembly. A conference was held in Panama City attended by representatives from nine countries of Central America. The year 1951 was the goal year for the two National Assemblies of Latin America. They felt, success was assured. By 1950, much of the responsibility for planning and directing efforts in Central America to the regional committees was nearly complete. The Local Assembly of Panama City had incorporated and others were preparing their applications. Mrs. Marcia Steward oversaw the delicate task of transferring responsibility to the regional committees. Communication was primarily by mail which was unreliable at times. The North American pioneers stepped back in cooperations with the Inter-American Committee and passed the reins of administration to local Bahá’ís. The regional committee were handling the translation, publication and distribution of Bahá’í literature and bulletins. The committee also arranged an International Bahá’í Congress and other regional conferences. The goal of establishing the the Central American Assembly was assured. The National Teaching Committee for Central America was moved to Panama City in preparation of forming the new National Assembly.

The National Assembly of Central America, Mexico and the Antilles was established in 1951. The National Assembly of the United States would continue to oversee its operations until the end of the Seven Year Plan when it would become fully independent. At the end of the Second Seven Year Plan, the National Assembly was fully independent.

The Ten Year Crusade (1953-1963) and beyond

The Ten Year Crusade began with a fully functioning National Assembly for Central America. But it was not left without help. The The Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee of the United States continued to collaborate with the Teaching Committees of Central America. There were fifty-two prospective pioneers for Central America and pioneers had already gone to some areas. Many of the potential pioneers were retired couples on pensions who did not require work.

In 1957, the National Assembly of Central America, Mexico and the Antilles was dissolved and replaced by the National Spiritual Assembly of Central America and Mexico and the National Assembly of the Greater Antilles. The Convention for Central America and Mexico was held in Panama City with Hand of the Cause Dhikru'lláh Khádem represented the Guardian and Mr. Robert McLaughlin represented the National Assembly of the United States. The representative of the United States opened the convention until a permanent chairperson could be elected by the convention.

The rapid growth continued and at Ridván 1961 the National Assemblies of seven Central American countries were formed. The Guardian was represented at each of the conventions by a Hand of the Cause: William Sears to El Salvador and Guatemala; Dhikru'lláh Khádem to Costa Rica and Panama; Collis Featherstone to Honduras and Nicaragua; and Paul Haney to Mexico. This left only Belize (British Honduras) to be developed. Belize was assigned to Guatemala for developement and a goal to have a National Assembly in the Nine Year Plan (1964-1973). The National Assembly of Belize was formed in 1967.

See also

• Statistics
• Bahá'í World Statistics
• adherents.com – A website about religious adherents of numerous faiths
  • adherents.com – Specific compiled stats on Bahá'í communities

Other References

• Academic American Encyclopedia. Grolier Academic Reference. 1998. ISBN 0-7172-2068-0.

• Bowker, John W., ed. (1997). The Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-213965-7.

• Chernow, Barbara A.; Vallasi, George A. (1993). The Columbia Encyclopedia. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-62438-X.

• The Encyclopedia of Islam, New Edition. Brill. 1960. Ref DS37.E523.

• Hinnells, John R. (2000). The New Penguin Handbook of Living Religions (second ed.). Penguin. ISBN 0-14-051480-5.

• Jones, Lindsay, ed. (2005). Encyclopedia of Religion (second ed.). MacMillan Reference Books. ISBN 0-02-865733-0.

• O'Brien, Joanne; Palmer, Martin (2005). Religions of the World. Facts on File. ISBN 0-8160-6258-7.

• Oliver, Paul (2002). Teach Yourself World Faiths. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-138448-0.

• Roof, Wade C. (1993). A Generation of Seekers: Spiritual Journeys of the Baby Boom Generation. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-066964-0.

• Smith, Jonathan Z.; American Academy of Religion (1995). The Harpercollins Dictionary of Religion. HarperCollins. ISBN 0-06-067515-2.

• The World Book Encyclopedia. World Book Inc. 2002. ISBN 0-7166-0103-6.

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0 Unported License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Bahá'í Faith in Central America.