Theos-Talk Archives (August 2003 Message tt00158)

Here's an response from Pedro Oliveira to Bart's message. Since Pedro isn't
subscribed, the message bounced to me. I wrote him about it and he said he'd
like it forwarded to the list.

-- Eldon

>-----Original Message-----
>From: prmoliveira [mailto:prmoliveira@yahoo.com] 
>Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2003 4:30 PM
>To: theos-talk-owner@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: In Defense of Radha Burnier

Having worked with Radha Burnier for four and half years (1992-1996)
at Adyar I would like to set the record straigth regarding numerous
accusations against her in this forum. She is the constitutionally
elected President of the Theosophical Society, with International
Headquarters at Adyar, since 1980, and re-elected ever since by the
overwhelming majority of members of that Society.

Her actions regarding the crises in the National Sections of the TS
in former Yugoslavia, Denmark and Canada were taken within the
framework of the Rules of the TS and in consultation with members of
the General Council of the Society.

YUGOSLAVIA: In 1984, some Lodges in the former Yugoslavian Section
Section had brought to her attention the widespread infiltration by
an outside organization (New Acropolis, founded by a former member of
the TS in Argentina in 1957) in the activities of the Section. This
was confirmed by a report from the European Federation of the TS. To
make matters worse the infiltration was been spearheaded by the then
General Secretary of the Yugoslavian Section. When the facts became
clear and in consultation with the members of the Executive Committee
at Adyar, the European Federation of the TS and members of the
General Council, and according to the existing Rule of the TS, she
withdrew the Charter of the Yugoslavian Section. She acted
constitutionally to protect the interests of the Theosophical Society
against an attempt to take over the TS in that country.

DENMARK: In 1989, on receiving complaints from Lodges in Denmark that
the then General Secretary was unduly emphasizing Alice Bailey's
teachings in the Section, she determined an inquiry by the Chairman
and Treasurer of the European Federation at that time. They went to
Denmark, spoke to the members there and confirmed the veracity of the
initial complaints, that theosophical teachings were being ignored
and the teachings of another organization were being given ample
prominence. On receiving the report of the European Federation and in
consultation with the Executive Committee at Adyar, and according to
the Rule that authorizes her to do so, she withdrew the Charter of
the Danish Section. But before her letter reached the General
Secretary he had already convened an extraordinary meeting and
speedily created an "association", to which were transferred all the
assets of the TS in Denmark, including building, library and bank
account. The International Society went to court, losing both the
initial legal case and its appeal.

CANADA: In December 1991, at the General Council meeting, Radha
Burnier put before the Council the fact that the then Canadian
Section of the TS had ammended its Rules and in doing so had
eliminated each and every reference to the International Headquarters
at Adyar. The Rules of the TS say that every Section (as well as
every Lodge/Branch) derives its Charter (and existence) from the
Parent Society. After examining the question the General Council
decided that by ignoring the Rules of the TS and eliminating all
references to the International Headquarters from its rules, the
Canadian Section had cut itself off from the Parent Society. There
was no "excommunication".

All the above decisions were reported in the Minutes of the General
Council of the Theosophical Society, as well as in the Annual Report
of the TS which also goes to all Council Members, who include more
than forty members world wide.

Books by Alice Bailey are available at all major theosophical
libraries of the TS world wide. But Lodges/Branches/Centres of the TS
have been and are the object of persistent interest by certain 
individuals interested in Alice Bailey's teachings who seem bent on 
assuming control of their activities. Are they moved by Bailey's 
suggestion that she was the successor of HPB?

In her 23 years as President, Radha Burnier brought stability,
clarity and depth to the work of the TS. As happens with every
leader, she attracted opposition both without and within the TS. I
have benefitted greatly from working with her and am very greatful 
for the many lessons I learned under her leadership. She works seven 
days a week, travels incessantly giving lectures and seminars around 
the world and is totally committed to Theosophy, both as a timeless 
teaching and as a way of life that leads to the spiritual 
regeneration of humanity. She reflects in her life, her writings and 
her teaching the same selfless spirit, courage and unswerving 
devotion to the upliftment of humanity and all living beings that 
animated the Founders of the Society.

The above information, and the decision to make it public, is my sole
responsibility and I have given it from memory as I have no files to
consult. They are the expression of my best knowledge and belief. I
have not asked Mrs Burnier permission to do so.

Pedro Oliveira

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Bart Lidofsky <bartl@s...> wrote:
> Mauri wrote:
> > Interesting. Happen to have any refrences re <<keeping 
> > people out of the T.S. because of their religious beliefs. >>?
> > 
> > One reason I ask is that a few days ago I was listening in on a 
> > talk given by Burnier, and she SEEMED like a rather wise, 
> > nice, normal sort of person, so ...
> 
> If you speak to her in person, that is the impression you 
get. Yet, she 
> has used the TS President's ability to unilaterally and without 
> explanation dissolve entire sections including Yugoslavia, Denmark, 
and 
> Canada (there WAS an explanation for Canada, but it was such an 
> incredibly minor technicality that it could have been fixed simply 
by 
> changing the label given to its relationship with the Theosophical 
> Society). She refuses to discuss the reasons with anybody, or even 
> general reasons why she won't discuss them.
> 
> People who know her well are convinced that she had a good 
reason, and 
> it was not because she did not like their personal beliefs. Many 
more 
> would LIKE to believe that. But, with lack of evidence of any other 
> motive, we are forced to suspect the worst.