Canon Andrew White originally qualified as an Operating Department Practitioner,
specialising in Anaesthetics, before his ordination. Now Vicar of St George’s in
Baghdad, his work there prompted him to write this moving story, acclaimed by Lord Carey of Clifton as an “inspirational read”. In the foreword, Lord Carey cites Andrew as “one of the most remarkable men I have ever encountered …. With a capacity to love, and be loved”. Additionally to providing a preliminary account of his life, leading up to Baghdad, and the deep questions he has had to work through for answers on his chosen stage, Andrew has provided 34 colour photographs in the centre pages, including one showing him with the British-Somali reporter, Rageh Omar who presented a one-hour documentary for ITV, at the beginning of 2008, entitled, “The Vicar of Baghdad”.

In an earlier book by Andrew, “Iraq: Searching for Hope”, (Continuum 2007), the reader can discover how he became involved in Iraq. He also devotes Chapter 3 of this current book to the story. Andrew tells us in a chapter headed, “Declaration of Intent”, that major developments were addressed in 2002, in a move towards bringing Israelis and Palestinians together, as well as trying to unite Christians around the world. The developments were instrumental in giving him invaluable experience which he was to use in Iraq in the years that followed.

Working closely with Dr Carey, they had to encounter strong objections about a planned visit to the Holy Land. However, the trip went ahead, and once there, they saw on Mr Sharon’s desk, a copy of the Hebrew Bible (which he placed there for all meetings attended by religious leaders). The Archbishop was reminded by Sharon of the words of Pope John Paul II, that to Christians, this was the Holy Land, but to Jews, it was the Promised Land. On page 36, you can find the 7 pointed Declaration of Intent, which was finally signed, though not before a lot of deliberation and stalling by some. Andrew’s PA got the document typed in Arabic, Hebrew and English and it was enlarged to facilitate the signing. The First Alexandria Declaration of the Religious Leaders of the Holy Land was signed at last, and “signed with joy”.

Whilst out in Iraq, Andrew has faced serious death threats, and had to flee, most recently in the Summer of 2007, when his picture was posted around Baghdad, with the caption “Wanted dead or alive”. He left for only a month, and claims that the thought of being killed or abducted in Iraq has never bothered him:- he does receive paid protection by security officials.. His experiences have led him to state, “the greatest peacemakers in the world today are in the armed forces”, and he tells us the US Army detailed its military chaplains to work with him. At one point, he found himself giving 78 interviews to the media, following disclosing to a journalist that he had been told, “those who cure you will kill you” by Sheik Dr Abdel Latif.
Andrew admits that life in Baghdad is tough, but signs of progress encourage him, such as when a Sunni and a Shia cleric share a meal together, or a hostage is freed. To pacify himself in times of stress, Andrew reminds himself of the empty tomb of Christ, and that has been one of his inspirations working in this sensitive and difficult area of life. He boils down the peacemaking process to one word, “love” which can be an inspiration to us all.

The Vicar of Baghdad – Fighting for peace in the Middle East by Andrew White, with a foreword by Lord Carey. Monarch Books, £8.99 ISBN 9781 85424 876 3

By Penny Nair Price