The Bishop of Bradford urged people to fight for peace through prayer as the Iraqi crisis threatens to spiral into war.

His chat about faith and crisis was the first of a series of six Lent Conversations at Bradford Cathedral, to which anybody is invited.

About 25 people came to the candlelit Bede Chapel yesterday lunchtime to hear the Right Reverend David James, pictured, chatting to Andy Bowerman, curate of St Augustine's Church, Undercliffe, about "faith in a time of crisis".

Bishop David said: "Crises are key to faith. It either takes a significant leap or fall, but crisis time impacts dramatically on our faith.

"Birth is normally a happy crisis, a life-changing experience, but it makes you think - what is it all about? Death is also a point where we ask fundamental questions."

With regard to Iraq, he said: "Any war is an admission of failure. We cannot transfer cartoons, or cowboy films or Star Wars into reality, thinking that by blasting a nation, we can bring peace.

"I would want Bradford people to fight for peace, not with the weapons of war but with the weapons of peace, which are prayer, conversation and hospitality.

"We are in an interesting situation in Bradford. Clearly there will be people within our own community saying that Muslims in Iraq or Afghanistan are brothers and cousins, so must make sure that peace breaks out in Bradford. We must pray, talk and understand each other and love one another to undermine the spirit of war and dissolve it."

The Bishop admitted his resistance to war would be "a bit more muted" if a second United Nations resolution was passed to invade Iraq.

He also spoke of church-going Prime Minister Tony Blair's dilemma in the face of so much opposition. I feel sorry for Tony Blair. It is quite obvious that Saddam Hussein will carry on living in his own evil way and the people will suffer there. The weapons inspectors are there only because of the threat of war.

"The threat of war in that respect is doing some good, but we are all in that dilemma - weapons can only be inspected because the army is threatening to invade. But no one nation, not even two, has the moral right to march in. We must involve the whole community of nations."

After the event, the Bishop said that he preferred dialogue to monologue.

"I hope people will think in new directions after coming here."

Next guest in the series of talks will be John Pennington, President of Bradford's Chamber of Commerce, who will talk about "faith and doubts" at the cathedral at 1pm next Wednesday.