September 26. On this date in 1957, Shoghi Effendi wrote "we cannot accept as believers those who are openly" engaged in "companionate marriage."

 

September 26. On this date in 1957, Shoghi Effendi wrote "we cannot accept as believers those who are openly" engaged in "companionate marriage."

1275. Companionate Marriage and Flagrantly Immoral Relationships

"Regarding companionate marriage and flagrant immorality, we quote below two passages from letters written on behalf of the Guardian:

'The Guardian has instructed me to say that companionate marriage, where there is no legal or religious marriage, is an immoral relationship and we cannot accept as believers those who are openly behaving in this way.' (To the NSA of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, dated September 26, 1957)

'As regards flagrantly immoral relationships, such as a man living with a mistress, this should be brought to his attention in a loving manner, and he should be urged to either marry the woman if he is free to do so, or to give up this conduct, so detrimental to the Faith and to his own spiritual progress.'" (To the NSA of Central America, dated February 9, 1957)

(From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Paraguay, November 21, 1967)