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]
Background
Cordaro grew up in Des Moines, and went to the University of Northern Iowa where he was a wrestler.[2]
Awards
He was awarded the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award in November 1990.[6]
References
- 1.Rev. Frank Cordaro to leave priesthood Archived 2007-08-17 at the Wayback Machine, National Catholic Reporter, August 13, 2003. Accessed on line December 20, 2007.
- 2.[2.2]Palecek, Mike (January 6, 1995). "Priest jailed for nuclear weapons protest: he calls local churches 'moral cheerleaders' for Air Force mission - Fr. Frank Cordaro of Council Bluffs, Iowa - Interview". National Catholic Reporter. 31 (10). Archived from the original on March 9, 2007. Retrieved December 20, 2007 – via FindArticles.
- 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