Of the roughly 80 million members of the Anglican Church worldwide, the Rev. Andrew White reckons none of them would want his job.
Few would voluntarily risk death over six years of war in order to provide the spiritual and daily needs of Iraqi Christians. Who would live in Baghdad if they could get out at any time, with their wife and two children back home in England?
What would possess a man to cross the entryway into St. George’s Church on Haifa Street in downtown Baghdad a few years ago, at the height of the sectarian massacre, on a morning when bodies hung from the streetlights?
In the simplest terms, White said he had a calling.
Read it all and please take the time to look through the wonderful photos of Palm Sunday in Baghdad.
Wow…that’s were it’s at. I wonder how many nice, comfortable Anglican priests would even consider being a priest in that context.
It would be nice if Stars and Stripes remembered that Fr. Wes Clare of the Anglican Diocese of San Joaquin is also serving as an Air Force Chaplian there right now.
Two thousand parishioners who are faithful enough to literally die passively for their beliefs. I have a hard time comprehending that from my comfy chair with a nice view of the US episcopal fray.
Very humbling.
Thank you, Kendall. That’s Holy Week. Just takes my breath away.
Praise God for such men of great faith! I agree w/comment #3.
The Rev. Andrew is running the good race! Anyone know how to contribute to his church?
I saw comments from Christians I really respect on this blog and was so moved by this brave man’s ministry that I had to log in and add my hurrah for this Fr. Andrew’s and his people’s courage. But then that’s what Christians do. Knowing the living (risen) Jesus gives them the courage and inspiration to keep it up. My walk through a difficult holy week just got easier. It makes being a priest who’s being sued by revisionists in California seem like a cakewalk. Thank God for raising up a priest and a church like this. Praise God and pass the courage.
A Priest worthy of his flock. Humbling in holiness and the power of faith in the Lord alone.
He has written a book about his experiences in Iraq called “Iraq: Searching for Hope.” It tells more of his amazing story.
http://www.amazon.com/Iraq-Searching-Hope-Andrew-White/dp/0826497160/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239158558&sr=1-1
One of the most telling lines of the piece:
[i]One thing you should realize is they have nothing else except the church. They come and they stay.[/i]
60 Minutes did a wonderful piece on Rev. White some time ago. As I recall he is also battling MS – as if he didn’t have enough to deal with! May the Lord continue to bless him and his ministry!
The Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East can be found at http://www.frrme.org/
He is been one of my heroes – what can you say?
Prayers for him and his parishioners and for all those in Iraq.
Ditto to all above. A faithful servant of Jesus Christ.