If the Assembly has reason to suspect that the person
concerned was ignorant of Bahá'í Law it will wish to investigate this fact
before applying sanctions. . . . This should not involve unreasonable delay,
especially if the Assembly is unable to evoke any response from the offender.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated May 20,
1971, to a National Spiritual Assembly; Developing Distinctive Baha'i Communities,
NSA of USA, 1998 edition)