Frank Cordaro (born 1951) is a peace activist and co-founder of the Des Moines, Iowa, Catholic Worker group. He frequently attends protests and gives lectures at school and community events in Nebraska and Iowa. He was a Roman Catholic priest from 1985 until leaving the priesthood in 2003 for personal reasons, including his wish to be released from the vow of celibacy.[1][2] Max McElwain calls him a Christian anarchist, and Cordaro frequently participates in peace rallies involving civil disobedience.[3] He has been sentenced to at least eight six-month terms in federal jail for trespassing onto military bases and federal buildings during demonstrations, most often at Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska.[4][5]

Frank Cordaro
Born1951 (age 72–73)

Background

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Cordaro grew up in Des Moines, and went to the University of Northern Iowa where he was a wrestler.[2] During his period as a priest and since he has been an outspoken critic of some aspects of the Catholic Church, including advocating the ordination of women into priesthood.

Awards

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He was awarded the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award in November 1990.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Rev. Frank Cordaro to leave priesthood, National Catholic Reporter, August 13, 2003. Accessed on line December 20, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Priest jailed for nuclear weapons protest: he calls local churches 'moral cheerleaders' for Air Force mission - Fr. Frank Cordaro of Council Bluffs, Iowa - Interview, Mike Palecek, National Catholic Reporter, January 6, 1995. Accessed on line December 20, 2007.
  3. ^ State v. Hutchison, 721 N.W.2d 776 (Iowa 2006)
  4. ^ 'Dr Strangeloves' meet to plan new nuclear era, Julian Borger, The Guardian, August 7, 2003. Accessed on line December 20, 2007.
  5. ^ Annual anti-nuke rally held outside Offutt, Jennifer Greff, Omaha World-Herald, December 29, 2006.
  6. ^ The Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Recipients List Archived February 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine

Additional sources

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  • Frank Cordaro's writings and a short biography can be found here.
  • A video of Frank Cordaro discussing Christian Anarchism and peace activism can be found here on YouTube.