Canon Andrew White
Encyclopedia
The Reverend Canon
Andrew White (born 1964) is vicar of St George's Church, Baghdad
, the only Anglican church in Iraq
. He has thus been dubbed the "Vicar
of Baghdad". He is also President of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East
. He was previously Director of International Ministry at the International Centre for Reconciliation
at Coventry Cathedral
, England. At the age of 33 years he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
, a condition which for many years affected his mobility and his speech. He has been undergoing a new stem cell treatment for MS at a clinic in Baghdad and believes it is having a positive effect.
In March 2011 on a visit to America, he claimed to have been healed supernaturally of many of the effects of M.S. at Bethel Church, in Redding, California
USA.
, in the suburbs of south-east London
in Kent. His family was very religious, between strict Baptist
and Pentecostal
. He visited an elderly house-bound woman, and got to know an Anglican priest who visited her to give her communion.
, London and qualified as an Operating Department Practitioner in 1985. He worked in anaesthetics and was a member of the cardiac arrest team. He spent a short time in Derby and became an active member of the Elim Pentecostal church there. One day he realised that he had done everything he had set out to achieve and asked himself, "what next?", and decided to become a Church of England
Priest
. He studied theology, training for the priesthood at Ridley Hall, Cambridge
, where he decided to learn about Judaism
and Islam
. He also spent time at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He was ordained in 1990, and became a curate at St Mark's, Battersea Rise in the Diocese of Southwark
. During his time at Southwark White had his first appearance on TV when was interviewed on the street by a member of the That's Life!
team. He first saw his wife from the pulpit when she was in the congregation, and when six weeks later he asked her to marry him, she initially said "maybe". He later became a vicar of the Church of the Ascension, Balham Hill in the same diocese.
In 1997 – his final year as vicar of the Church of the Ascension – he was a Wandsworth
Borough Councillor and served as Deputy Chairman of Social Services.
at Coventry Cathedral
. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
about six weeks after moving to Coventry
. He became the Director of International Ministry there, heading up the International Centre for Reconciliation
, promoting reconciliation in conflicts (mainly religious) across the globe. He concentrated on the Middle East, because he thought that the church needed to be involved there. He remained in this post until 2005, when he moved to Baghdad to become Anglican Chaplain
to Iraq.
elected Chairman of the Palestine National fund and CEO of Cordoba Group.
Al-Ghussein a strong and vocal advocate of the rule of law was kidnapped from Abu Dhabi with the compliance of Sheik Hamadan Bin Zayed and Sheik Seif Bin Zayed. Al-Ghussein's abductions were the subject of a UN determination that placed his case in category 1, the highest and appointed a rapporteur on Special Torture. Denied access to the Red Cross in Gaza, Canon Andrew White was able to visit him and eventually through his position as Special Envoy mediated Jaweed Al Ghusseins Release back to the UK.
. He formerly lived in the Green Zone. He has been dubbed "Vicar of Baghdad", because his church is the only remaining Anglican church in Iraq. His people (the congregation of St George's) refer to him as their "Aboona" (Father). Here, he has continued the reconciliation that he promoted during his time as Director of International Ministry at Coventry Cathedral. The Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East was established in 2005 as part of his reconciliation work in Iraq and the Middle East as a whole.
His main aim has been to try and maintain communication between Shia and Sunni
leaders, and to "gain trust of key religious leaders on both sides in various conflict areas". He sees his role as trying to mediate and re-establish the dialogue between conflicting groups.
White was involved in efforts to free British hostage Ken Bigley, although his efforts and those of many others were unsuccessful as Mr Bigley was murdered after three weeks in Iraq. On average, his negotiations with kidnappers are approximately 25% successful in leading to a hostage being released. He also took part in trying to resolve the hostage situation at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
in 2002.
White was aware of the fear that the Iraqi people had of Saddam Hussein
's regime, and supported the invasion of Iraq, but not the aftermath.
White's lay
pastor was kidnapped in April 2007; however, he managed to raise the $40,000 ransom necessary to secure the pastor's release and soon returned to Iraq where he stays most of the time.
On 11 July 2007, White arrived in Britain after having fled Iraq following warnings of threats to his life, but returned later on. He is no stranger to danger, having been "hijacked, kidnapped, locked up in rooms with bits of finger and toe and things." He has "been held at gunpoint, been attacked – the usual thing"! Many of his staff have been kidnapped or killed, with up to 11 killings of staff in a single year.
White's work is paid for partly by supporters, his foundation, and by The Pentagon
. Security is a key issue in his work, and he has 35 armed guards assigned to protect him.
.
At the age of 33 years, White was investigated for poor vision and balance problems about six weeks after he became a canon at Coventry Cathedral
. He was hospitalised, and a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
was given to him on the same day his second son was born. Being in the same hospital as his wife, he was able to attend the birth. His wife and two sons currently live in the southeast of England.
White does not know anyone else who would do his work, because of the long term relationships he has in the Middle East and his religion. Through his work he has become unaccustomed to a normal civilian life, and has said that he would find life in London boring.
White has also written widely on issues of inter-faith activity, conflict resolution, Middle East affairs and relations between Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
White was awarded the Anglo-Israel Association Prize for his contribution to furthering understanding between the British and Israeli nations. He was awarded the Sternberg Inter-Faith Prize for his work in promoting good relations between Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
Canon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
Andrew White (born 1964) is vicar of St George's Church, Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
, the only Anglican church in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. He has thus been dubbed the "Vicar
Vicar
In the broadest sense, a vicar is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior . In this sense, the title is comparable to lieutenant...
of Baghdad". He is also President of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East
Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East
The Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East is an organization founded by the Reverend Canon Andrew White to promote inter-faith relations in the Middle East....
. He was previously Director of International Ministry at the International Centre for Reconciliation
International Centre for Reconciliation
The International Centre for Reconciliation is based at Coventry Cathedral, UK and was established in 1940 after the destruction of the cathedral in the Second World War. Rather than seek revenge for the devastation caused, the Centre's founders vowed to promote reconciliation in areas of conflict...
at Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral, also known as St Michael's Cathedral, is the seat of the Bishop of Coventry and the Diocese of Coventry, in Coventry, West Midlands, England. The current bishop is the Right Revd Christopher Cocksworth....
, England. At the age of 33 years he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
, a condition which for many years affected his mobility and his speech. He has been undergoing a new stem cell treatment for MS at a clinic in Baghdad and believes it is having a positive effect.
In March 2011 on a visit to America, he claimed to have been healed supernaturally of many of the effects of M.S. at Bethel Church, in Redding, California
Redding, California
Redding is a city in far-Northern California. It is the county seat of Shasta County, California, USA. With a population of 89,861, according to the 2010 Census...
USA.
Early life
White grew up in BexleyBexley
Bexley is an South East London]] in the London Borough of Bexley, London, England. It is located on the banks of the River Cray south of the Roman Road, Watling Street...
, in the suburbs of south-east London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in Kent. His family was very religious, between strict Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
and Pentecostal
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek...
. He visited an elderly house-bound woman, and got to know an Anglican priest who visited her to give her communion.
Education and call to the priesthood
He studied at St Thomas' HospitalSt Thomas' Hospital
St Thomas' Hospital is a large NHS hospital in London, England. It is administratively a part of Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. It has provided health care freely or under charitable auspices since the 12th century and was originally located in Southwark.St Thomas' Hospital is accessible...
, London and qualified as an Operating Department Practitioner in 1985. He worked in anaesthetics and was a member of the cardiac arrest team. He spent a short time in Derby and became an active member of the Elim Pentecostal church there. One day he realised that he had done everything he had set out to achieve and asked himself, "what next?", and decided to become a Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
Priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
. He studied theology, training for the priesthood at Ridley Hall, Cambridge
Ridley Hall, Cambridge
Ridley Hall is a theological college located in Sidgwick Avenue in Cambridge in the United Kingdom, which trains intending ministers for the Church of England and other churches. It was founded in 1881 and named in memory of Nicholas Ridley, a leading protestant theologian of the sixteenth century...
, where he decided to learn about Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
and Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. He also spent time at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He was ordained in 1990, and became a curate at St Mark's, Battersea Rise in the Diocese of Southwark
Anglican Diocese of Southwark
The Diocese of Southwark is one of the 44 dioceses of the Church of England, part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Diocese forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England. It was formed on May 1, 1905 from part of the Diocese of Rochester...
. During his time at Southwark White had his first appearance on TV when was interviewed on the street by a member of the That's Life!
That's Life!
That's Life! was a magazine-style television series on BBC1 between 26 May 1973 and 19 June 1994, presented by Esther Rantzen throughout the entire run, with various changes of co-presenters. The show was generally recorded about an hour prior to transmission, which was originally on Saturday...
team. He first saw his wife from the pulpit when she was in the congregation, and when six weeks later he asked her to marry him, she initially said "maybe". He later became a vicar of the Church of the Ascension, Balham Hill in the same diocese.
In 1997 – his final year as vicar of the Church of the Ascension – he was a Wandsworth
Wandsworth
Wandsworth is a district of south London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-Toponymy:...
Borough Councillor and served as Deputy Chairman of Social Services.
Director of International Ministry
In 1998, at the age of 33 years, White was appointed a canonCanon (priest)
A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
at Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral, also known as St Michael's Cathedral, is the seat of the Bishop of Coventry and the Diocese of Coventry, in Coventry, West Midlands, England. The current bishop is the Right Revd Christopher Cocksworth....
. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
about six weeks after moving to Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
. He became the Director of International Ministry there, heading up the International Centre for Reconciliation
International Centre for Reconciliation
The International Centre for Reconciliation is based at Coventry Cathedral, UK and was established in 1940 after the destruction of the cathedral in the Second World War. Rather than seek revenge for the devastation caused, the Centre's founders vowed to promote reconciliation in areas of conflict...
, promoting reconciliation in conflicts (mainly religious) across the globe. He concentrated on the Middle East, because he thought that the church needed to be involved there. He remained in this post until 2005, when he moved to Baghdad to become Anglican Chaplain
Chaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
to Iraq.
Mediation
Canon Andrew White mediated in the release of the late Jaweed Al-GhusseinJaweed al-Ghussein
Jaweed al-Ghussein was a Palestinian educationist and philanthropist.- Early years :Born in Gaza in 1930, into one of the most prominent Palestinian families. A refugee in 1948 he went to Cairo Egypt with his family were he attended the American University of Cairo .Graduating in Economics he was...
elected Chairman of the Palestine National fund and CEO of Cordoba Group.
Al-Ghussein a strong and vocal advocate of the rule of law was kidnapped from Abu Dhabi with the compliance of Sheik Hamadan Bin Zayed and Sheik Seif Bin Zayed. Al-Ghussein's abductions were the subject of a UN determination that placed his case in category 1, the highest and appointed a rapporteur on Special Torture. Denied access to the Red Cross in Gaza, Canon Andrew White was able to visit him and eventually through his position as Special Envoy mediated Jaweed Al Ghusseins Release back to the UK.
"Vicar of Baghdad"
In Iraq, White lives in Baghdad and serves as the vicar of St George's Church just outside the Green ZoneGreen Zone
The Green Zone is the most common name for the International Zone of Baghdad. It is a area of central Baghdad, Iraq, that was the governmental center of the Coalition Provisional Authority and remains the center of the international presence in the city...
. He formerly lived in the Green Zone. He has been dubbed "Vicar of Baghdad", because his church is the only remaining Anglican church in Iraq. His people (the congregation of St George's) refer to him as their "Aboona" (Father). Here, he has continued the reconciliation that he promoted during his time as Director of International Ministry at Coventry Cathedral. The Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East was established in 2005 as part of his reconciliation work in Iraq and the Middle East as a whole.
His main aim has been to try and maintain communication between Shia and Sunni
Sunni Islam
Sunni Islam is the largest branch of Islam. Sunni Muslims are referred to in Arabic as ʾAhl ūs-Sunnah wa āl-Ǧamāʿah or ʾAhl ūs-Sunnah for short; in English, they are known as Sunni Muslims, Sunnis or Sunnites....
leaders, and to "gain trust of key religious leaders on both sides in various conflict areas". He sees his role as trying to mediate and re-establish the dialogue between conflicting groups.
White was involved in efforts to free British hostage Ken Bigley, although his efforts and those of many others were unsuccessful as Mr Bigley was murdered after three weeks in Iraq. On average, his negotiations with kidnappers are approximately 25% successful in leading to a hostage being released. He also took part in trying to resolve the hostage situation at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank of the Jordan River, near Israel and approximately south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism...
in 2002.
White was aware of the fear that the Iraqi people had of Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
's regime, and supported the invasion of Iraq, but not the aftermath.
White's lay
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
pastor was kidnapped in April 2007; however, he managed to raise the $40,000 ransom necessary to secure the pastor's release and soon returned to Iraq where he stays most of the time.
On 11 July 2007, White arrived in Britain after having fled Iraq following warnings of threats to his life, but returned later on. He is no stranger to danger, having been "hijacked, kidnapped, locked up in rooms with bits of finger and toe and things." He has "been held at gunpoint, been attacked – the usual thing"! Many of his staff have been kidnapped or killed, with up to 11 killings of staff in a single year.
White's work is paid for partly by supporters, his foundation, and by The Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
. Security is a key issue in his work, and he has 35 armed guards assigned to protect him.
Personal life
White's brother died on 31 August 1997. His body was found washed up by the sea and White assumes that he probably jumped off a cliff, although the cause of death has not been established officially and given an open verdictOpen verdict
The Open verdict is an option open to a Coroner's jury at an Inquest in the legal system of England and Wales. The verdict strictly means that the jury confirms that the death is suspicious but is unable to reach any of the other verdicts open to them...
.
At the age of 33 years, White was investigated for poor vision and balance problems about six weeks after he became a canon at Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral
Coventry Cathedral, also known as St Michael's Cathedral, is the seat of the Bishop of Coventry and the Diocese of Coventry, in Coventry, West Midlands, England. The current bishop is the Right Revd Christopher Cocksworth....
. He was hospitalised, and a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
was given to him on the same day his second son was born. Being in the same hospital as his wife, he was able to attend the birth. His wife and two sons currently live in the southeast of England.
White does not know anyone else who would do his work, because of the long term relationships he has in the Middle East and his religion. Through his work he has become unaccustomed to a normal civilian life, and has said that he would find life in London boring.
Previous appointments
- Special Envoy to the Middle East – for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd. and Rt. Hon. George CareyGeorge CareyGeorge Leonard Carey, Baron Carey of Clifton PC, FKC is a former Archbishop of Canterbury, holding the office from 1991 to 2002. He was the first modern holder of the office not to have attended Oxford or Cambridge University...
- Director of International Ministry and Canon Residentiary – International Centre for Reconciliation, Coventry Cathedral
Current appointments
- Vicar of St George's Church, Baghdad, Iraq
- President and Chief Executive – Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East (FRRME)
- Special Representative to the Alexandria ProcessAlexandria ProcessThe Alexandria Process is a process of active dialogue between religious leaders in the Holy Land to build understanding and work towards peace.-History:...
– for the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Most Revd. and Rt. Hon. Rowan WilliamsRowan WilliamsRowan Douglas Williams FRSL, FBA, FLSW is an Anglican bishop, poet and theologian. He is the 104th and current Archbishop of Canterbury, Metropolitan of the Province of Canterbury and Primate of All England, offices he has held since early 2003.Williams was previously Bishop of Monmouth and... - Eric Lane Fellow – Clare College, CambridgeClare College, CambridgeClare College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1326, making it the second-oldest surviving college of the University after Peterhouse. Clare is famous for its chapel choir and for its gardens on "the Backs"...
- Harvard Fellow
Selected publications
- Iraq: People of Promise, Land of Despair (2003)
- Iraq: Searching for Hope (2005)
- By The Rivers of Babylon (2008)
- The Vicar of Baghdad (2009)
- "Suffer the Children" (2010)
- "Faith Under Fire" early 2011
White has also written widely on issues of inter-faith activity, conflict resolution, Middle East affairs and relations between Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
Awards
- The Sternberg International Council of Christians and Jews Prize (jointly with Lord Coggan) (1991)
- Anglo-Israel Association Prize (2001)
- Sir Sigmund Sternberg Inter-Faith Prize (2003)
- Grand Commander of the Order of Merit of the Knights TemplarKnights TemplarThe Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon , commonly known as the Knights Templar, the Order of the Temple or simply as Templars, were among the most famous of the Western Christian military orders...
of Jerusalem (2003) - Interfaith Award, British Government (2003)
- Peacemaker in Action Award, The Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, United States (2005)
- US Cross of Valor (2006)
- The Woolf Institute of Abrahamic FaithsThe Woolf Institute of Abrahamic FaithsThe Woolf Institute is a research institute based in Cambridge, UK, for teaching, research and dialogue in the encounter between Jews, Christians and Muslims....
, Cambridge, Peace Prize (2007) - Iraq Peace Prize 2010
- The International Civil Courage PrizeCivil Courage PrizeThe Civil Courage Prize is a human rights award which is awarded to "steadfast resistance to evil at great personal risk — rather than military valor." It is awarded by the Trustees of The Train Foundation annually and may be awarded posthumously....
(2010) - Honourary Phd University of GloucestershireUniversity of GloucestershireThe University of Gloucestershire is a university primarily based in Gloucestershire, England, spread over four campuses, three in Cheltenham and one in Gloucester...
(2010) - Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award (2010) - (awarded by Rotary District 1120)
- Knight Grand Cross and Spiritual Protector of the Order of St George (2011)
- True Freedom Prize of the USA to be awarded January 2012
White was awarded the Anglo-Israel Association Prize for his contribution to furthering understanding between the British and Israeli nations. He was awarded the Sternberg Inter-Faith Prize for his work in promoting good relations between Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
Styles
- Mr Andrew White (1964–1990)
- The Revd. Andrew White (1990–1998)
- The Revd. Canon Dr. Andrew White (1998–)