A LEADING figure in the Catholic Church has been detained at O’Hare Airport in Chicago as an official “terror threat”.

Canon Andrew White, otherwise known as the ‘Vicar of Baghdad’ and who has worked tirelessly to promote peace in the Middle East during his mission in the Iraqi capital, told followers on social media: “Not only did I have problems in Israel the other day, now the Americans have assured me I am a major terror threat to the USA and they have given me a piece of paper to prove it."

He continued: “I was stopped under terrorism legislation and after being detained for many hours was given a temporary visa and allowed to travel to Nashville, where I was speaking at the National Religious Broadcasters’ Convention.

“They let me in this time but next time I have got to get official approval before I come to visit.”

The Liphook-based vicar also received a letter in February, notifying him of an Honorary Doctorate of Theology by York St John University, which has previously been bestowed on Archbishop Desmond Tutu and journalist and broadcaster Andrew Marr.

The letter states York St John University awards honorary degrees each year to a small number of "highly respected, influential and high achieving individuals who through their work and profile can inspire and motivate students to achieve their potential".

The nomination was made in recognition of Canon White’s work on behalf of the church during his nine years in Baghdad as vicar of St George’s Church and as president of the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East.

The presentation will be made to Canon White at York Minster in November.