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The Vicar of Baghdad

The Vicar of Baghdad Andrew White describes how he put himself in regular danger in order to attempt to bring peace between faith leaders in Iraq, Israel and Palestine.

Peacemaking can take many different practical forms, but it can be incredibly risky. One man who has put his life on the line for it is Canon Andrew White, known as the Vicar of Baghdad. He earned that title through over 20 years of tireless efforts to heal the major rifts between faiths in the Middle East. Despite continuously putting his life at risk, and having multiple sclerosis, his unwavering Christian faith has kept him going.

Andrew reflects β€œI have never lost hope because my hope is built on nothing less than on the blood of Christ and his righteousness.”

At the height of major conflict in Iraq, one of Andrew’s most extraordinary missions was deemed by many to be impossible – to bring together faith leaders from Iraq, Israel, and Palestine.

He says β€œI couldn’t bring Israelis to Iraq, I couldn’t bring Iraqis to Israel, so we met in Cyprus in Paphos. One of the chief rabbis said to me after three days, β€œfear is cancelled”. One of the Ayatollahs said, β€œI’ve been together for three days with what I thought were the evil Zionists of Israel. And I looked into your eyes, and I heard your story and I realised you weren’t a stranger. You were my friend!”

Andrew no longer lives in Iraq but spends his time between the Middle East and the UK on peace missions, and speaking to church groups about his profound experiences.

He explains β€œPeople often say to me, β€˜well who is your enemy?’ and I say β€˜it is the person whose story you have not heard’. So a vital part of my work has been enabling people to hear the story of the others. This is not me talking about some strange far-flung people, this is me talking about your family. We are one, suffering together. And we can only bring wholeness, healing restoration, peace, power, protection and provision if we work together.

For Andrew, his motivation comes from one place alone: β€œThere is no concept of dealing with the reality of suffering unless you know the reality of the cross of Christ. The cross is what gives us life, hope, resurrection and forgiveness!”

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3 minutes