A gifted man who gave decades of outstanding service
The Universal House of Justice sent the following message to all National Spiritual Assemblies on 29 September 2020. Beneath the message are a letter from the National Spiritual Assembly, and photographs of Mr Martin taken during a visit to New Zealand in 1986.
With mournful hearts already brimming with sorrow, we announce the passing of our much-loved, much-admired former colleague, Douglas Martin. Having embraced the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh as a young man, he with all his heart dedicated his life to the Cause of God over successive decades of outstanding service. The special gifts he possessed for presenting the Faith with clarity and vision shone through as much in his scholarly writings as in his public presentations, including in vigorous defence of the Bahá’í community in Iran. Much of this work was undertaken while he simultaneously discharged weighty responsibilities in the administration of the Faith. This included a quarter century spent as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of Canada, most of that time as its Secretary. His scintillating intellect and uncommon grasp of the grand forces of history, combined with his formidable powers of expression, were much in evidence during the years he spent as director-general of the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information, a prelude to the twelve years he served as a member of the Universal House of Justice. Resolute, ingenious, and blessed with piercing insight, he will be immensely missed.
We pray ardently that dear Douglas, now reunited with his beloved wife, Elizabeth, may be received with joy in the Abhá Kingdom, and that his illumined soul may ever soar in the limitless realms above. The friends in every community are called upon to honour his memory by convening memorials, including through devotions at every House of Worship, as circumstances permit.
The Universal House of Justice
Letter from the National Spiritual Assembly
The National Spiritual Assembly sent this letter to all Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í groups on 30 September 2020.
The National Spiritual Assembly was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr Douglas Martin, whose life was so eloquently eulogised in the letter of the Universal House of Justice dated 29 September 2020.
New Zealand was fortunate to receive a visit from Mr Martin in 1986 while he was director-general of the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information. He was a most engaging and insightful speaker. One member of the National Assembly stated: “Mr Martin was one of the most articulate presenters of the Faith in our time who will be remembered particularly for his significant contributions to illuminating documents such as Century of Light and Humanity’s Coming Encounter with Bahá’u’lláh.” Another member recalled hearing him speak in Auckland in 1986 and said “his view on history revolutionised my way of seeing the sweep of history.”
Douglas Martin made significant contributions to the world’s knowledge and understanding of religious thought and his valuable service to the Cause of God over numerous decades, including 12 years as a member of the Supreme Institution, is acclaimed with loving admiration. As requested by the beloved Universal House of Justice, “The friends in every community are called upon to honour his memory by convening memorials… as circumstances permit.”
With loving thoughts,
National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of New Zealand
In 1986 Mr Martin visited New Zealand. At the time, he was director-general of the Bahá’í International Community’s Office of Public Information. Above, he is seen with a group of friends at the National Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Parnell, Auckland. Below, he is pictured giving a talk at Auckland University. Photos are from the New Zealand National Bahá’í Archives.
