First-hand insight into Iraq

The 250 or so people filled the largest room at the Royal Norfolk Hotel to overflowing to listen to Canon Andrew White's experiences amid the bombs of the Iraqi capital.

The huge level of interest in his appearance for a Christ of the Nations UK event led to those unable to find a seat standing in the nearby hallway.

They were treated to 70 minutes of Canon White's life in the only Anglican church in a city tearing itself apart with daily explosions and shootings.

Canon White said: 'The Anglican church survives in Iraq by God's protection. That's the only reason.'

In spite of the hazards, attendances at the church are rising by 50 people a month to a total congregation size of some 1,300.

'We have to buy a bus to bring them to church. There is no way they can walk there,' he explained.

'I told the Coalition Provisional Authority after the war that Iraq was going to be divided by religion.

'They denied it and said Iraq was a secular society but there is nowhere in the Middle East that is secular.'

Canon White performs most of his Anglican duties on Saturdays and spends Sundays in the international zone ministering to the mainly American troops based there.

His work is soon to be featured in a BBC documentary.

He has been in Iraq since 1998.

His current duties include dealing with the various religious factions '“ such as Sunni and Shia leaders '“ for the Iraqi government.

He is also involved with the Iraq Institute of Peace as one of the world's leading experts on Middle Eastern affairs.

His current roles also include president and chief executive of the Foundation for Reconciliation in the Middle East.

He was appointed by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, as his special representative to the region in 2001.

His appearance in Bognor was arranged by the Rev Kevin Swadling, of Christ for the Nations, through a friendship with Canon White's father-in-law.

Mr Swadling said: 'This was one of the best turnouts we have had since we took over the Royal Norfolk about three years ago.

Canon White's talk gave people the chance to hear about his life in Iraq and also again brought members of various churches in Bognor together here.'