Meanwhile, Canon White persists in alerting the West to Iraq’s diminishing Christian presence. In doing so, he embodies the remaining believers’ vulnerability and teaches us to weep with those who weep. Such is the vocation of the indomitable Vicar of Baghdad. Praying for him will strengthen his hands and honor his faithfulness.

News in the Middle East is rarely uplifting. On a daily basis, a roiling brew of fanaticism, insurgency and hatred boils over into country after country, yielding death and destruction.

In a region beset with such turmoil, it is highly unusual to come across someone who rises above the fray and – without a trace of cynicism – offers a message of hope. Thankfully, just such a voice was heard in Jerusalem this past weekend.

Reverend Canon Andrew White is an Anglican priest from Great Britain who is affectionately known as the “Vicar of Baghdad.” A large silver cross graces his chest; he walks with a cane and speaks with a faint impediment because of his personal battle with multiple sclerosis.

In 2003, shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein, White reopened St. George’s Church in Baghdad. Today, he divides his time in several ways.

Canon White persists in alerting the West to Iraq’s diminishing Christian presence.

He tends to the needs of the people in his war-torn parish, distributing food and medical care to both Christians and Muslims.

He travels across wide swaths of North America and Britain, seeking to raise awareness and funds.

He also tries to bring together Muslim, Jewish and Christian leaders in his never-ending quest to restrain religiously incited violence.

White’s indefatigable efforts entail his own medical issues, and they are acted out against an increasingly bloodstained backdrop.

Wednesday morning, Al-Arabiya’s headlines proclaimed that three separate bombs had ripped into the heart of Baghdad. Dozens were injured and more than 20 were killed.

Last month alone, 1,013 people in Iraq – 795 civilians, 122 soldiers and 96 policemen – died as a result of violence.

As Canon White spoke at Jerusalem’s Narkis Congregation on Saturday morning, he lamented that 1,096 of his own parishioners have been killed in the past five years.

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