Frank Cordaro
Frank Cordaro 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. He is known as a Christian anarchist and frequently participates in peace rallies involving civil disobedience. 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.Background
Cordaro grew up in Des Moines, and went to the University of Northern Iowa where he was a wrestler. 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
He was awarded the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award in November 1990.Additional sources
- , Chicago Sun-Times, September 13, 1988.
- Max McElwain, The Progressive, May 1, 1993.
- , Associated Press, April 28, 1995.
- Pamela Schaeffer, National Catholic Reporter, July 18, 1997.
- , Associated Press, June 6, 1999.
- Kate Gurnett, Albany Times Union, February 14, 2000.
- Aarons Dakarai, , Des Moines Register, August 5, 2003.
- Abby Simons, , Des Moines Register, August 11, 2004.
- Mary Nevans-Pederson, , Telegraph Herald, April 7, 2005.
- , Associated Press, August 27, 2006.
- , PBS NewsHour, January 3, 2012.
- Regina Zilbermints, , Des Moines Register, December 31, 2011.
