What was Mason Remey’s comprehensive role within the global Baha’i administrative structure?

Mason Remey accumulated an astonishingly rapid accumulation of trust and was entrusted with the highest administrative, spiritual, and personal appointments, placing him squarely at the epicenter of the faith’s global affairs during the pivotal 1950s.

His comprehensive role within the global Baha’i administrative structure encompassed multiple high-level positions, many of which he held simultaneously.

1. Highest Administrative Role: President of the International Council

In January 1951, the Baha’i World Center was undergoing a monumental construction boom and needed new administrative structures to support its global expansion. The need to coordinate massive international work and manage projects in the Holy Land led to the creation of a new coordinating body.

• Establishment of the Council: Shoghi Effendi announced the creation of the first ever International Baha’i Council. This council was not just another committee; it was designated as the “seed,” or the very beginning, of the future global governing body. Shoghi Effendi highlighted this as a “weighty epochal decision and a most significant milestone”.
• Remey’s Appointment: Mason Remey was appointed as the Council’s very first president. This positioned him at the helm of the faith’s highest international body.
• Responsibilities: The Council was tasked with overseeing all monumental construction and dealing with the new State of Israel. Shoghi Effendi specifically welcomed Remey’s help, tying the success of this new venture directly to him. This was considered a “top administrative job”.

2. Highest Spiritual Role: Hand of the Cause of God

Later in 1951, Remey was given an additional level of trust, this time in a spiritual capacity, through the creation of the Hands of the Cause of God.

• Appointment and Station: In December 1951, Remey was one of the first 12 people appointed to this role. This was a non-administrative, spiritual station, with appointments made for life.
• Responsibilities: Hands of the Cause were given the “sacred profound duty” of protecting the faith’s unity and inspiring its growth worldwide.
• Location Significance: Remey was one of only three Hands of the Cause specifically stationed right there in the Holy Land. This elevation marked a “top spiritual rank”.

3. Personal Representative Role

To launch a decade-long global plan, a series of four intercontinental conferences were announced. For these critical events, Shoghi Effendi appointed certain people to act as his special representatives.

• Role and Mission: Remey was chosen for the mission to the major conference in Asia. In this capacity, he served as Shoghi Effendi’s special representative, meaning he was the leader’s personal voice, entrusted to deliver his message and explain his vision for the next 10 years. This specific appointment represented a profound display of personal trust.

4. Professional Role: Architect

In addition to his administrative, spiritual, and personal appointments, Remey maintained his long-standing role as an architect.

Summary of Trust and Authority

The official historical record from 1950 to 1957 portrays Mason Remey as a central pillar who earned profound and multifaceted trust from the faith’s leader.

The key aspect of his comprehensive role was that he held these immense responsibilities—President of the International Council, Hand of the Cause, Special Representative, and Architect—at the same time. In less than two years (between January 1951 and December 1951, and the subsequent appointment as Special Representative), he received the highest administrative, spiritual, and personal appointments available.