It was with hearts overflowing with joy that the Baha'is of
Spain received official notification on July 13, 1968 that the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Spain had been legally recognized and
given registry number 2 in the Register of Non-Catholic Religious Associations
in the Ministry of Justice. This recognition of the National Assembly carries
with it the automatic legal recognition of all Local Spiritual Assemblies duly
formed in accordance with the Statutes of the National Spiritual Assembly.
This represents the fulfillment of one of the goals of the
Ten Year Global Crusade of our beloved Guardian which, in spite of continuous
efforts and great expense beginning in 1954 had proved impossible of
accomplishment. From 1954 through 1963, legalization proceedings went through
various government levels and to the Supreme Court with continuous denials.
This goal was then included in the Nine Year Plan.
In December, 1966 a new basic law of the land was approved
by national referendum, and one provision of the new law provided for
government protection of all religions. To implement this new concept, a Law on
Religious Liberty was passed by the national Parliament on June 28, 1967.
On March 16, 1967, the National Assembly of Spain designated
the National Proclamation Committee to handle all matters involved in
processing the legal recognition of the Faith in accordance with the foregoing
law. This committee, with the close collaboration of Auxiliary Board member
Charles M. Ioas, prepared all of the necessary documentation, including the
translations of the By-Laws prepared by the Universal House of Justice, lists
of all believers in Spain, statement of accounts and properties, etc. All
documentation was presented to the Ministry of Justice in November of 1967, all
at a total cost of three pesetas (less than five cents) for a stamp tax.
Writes the Bbaha’i News correspondent from Spain: "At
the same time that we share the above magnificent news with the Baha'i friends
throughout the world, we should also like to share the news that a Baha'i
Editorial has also been officially registered in the Ministry of Information
and Tourism. This now permits the publication of Baha'i books and literature in
Spain, as well as the importation and distribution of Baha'i books from outside
the country.
"We know that all friends everywhere will share our
elation at these marvelous and undreamt of advances for the Faith of
Baha'u'llah in Spain, and will also share in our appreciation to the Spanish
authorities who have made these advances possible."
(Baha’i News, October 1968)
