Ordination in Iraq
Baghdad Celebrations
Sunday September 11th was a great day for the congregation of St George’s Anglican Church Baghdad. The bishop, the Rt Revd Michael Lewis, was present to ordain the Revd Faiz Jerjes who became the first Iraqi Anglican priest at the church. Together with his wife Nawal, Faiz has been largely responsible for the day to day work of the chaplaincy during the last year, as a deacon. Prior to that, he was a Lector at the church. He was welcomed by a congregation of several hundred which included the British ambassador and other civic figures alongside Christian and Muslim religious leaders.
The Chaplaincy serves the area in which it is set, one of the most badly damaged during the war. Security is still a huge issue and during the last couple of years there have been outrages which have claimed many lives. In the face of this the church runs a clinic with four doctors and three dentists, treating around 200 patients a day. It organizes a food relief programme through its Mothers Union that provides 500 food parcels weekly to the poor of the district. It is soon to open a church primary school for 150 pupils. It has an extensive youth programme, and works for peace and justice at a number of levels.
The Chaplain, Canon Andrew White, said
This is a wonderful day for us. We have been so blessed.
The congregation welcome Revd Faiz Jerjes
American Award for Canon Andrew White
The International First Freedom Award for Canon Andrew White was announced by its President, Ambassador Randolph Bell, who said the award existed to advance freedom of religion and conscience. Canon White has been close to the American initiative in Iraq and has been outspoken in his support of the invasion of Iraq, a stance which has made him a controversial figure in the region and beyond. Canon White remains Chaplain to the St. George’s Anglican Church in Baghdad where he has worked alongside the depleted Iraqi Christian population.
The award will be presented in Virginia in January 2012.
