"Vicar of Baghdad"
In Iraq, Canon Andrew lives in Baghdad and serves as the vicar of St George's Church just outside the Green Zone. 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 to 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.
Canon Andrew'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, Canon Andrew 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.
Read more about this topic: Andrew White (clergyman)
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