Frank Cordaro
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| Frank Cordaro | |
| Born | 1951 |
|---|---|
| Residence | Des Moines, Iowa |
Frank Cordaro (born 1951) is a peace activist and co-founder of the Des Moines, Iowa Catholic Worker group. He frequently leads 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 decision to reject the vow of celibacy.[1][2] He is known as an anarchist Christian 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 Nuclear Command at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska.[3][4] 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 and criticizing the church's stance on abortion rights. He was awarded the Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Award in November 1990.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Rev. Frank Cordaro to leave priesthood, National Catholic Reporter, August 13, 2003. Accessed on line December 20, 2007.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 'Dr Strangeloves' meet to plan new nuclear era, Julian Borger, The Guardian, August 7, 2003. Accessed on line December 20, 2007.
- ^ Annual anti-nuke rally held outside Offutt, Jennifer Greff, Omaha World-Herald, December 29, 2006.
- ^ The Peace Abbey Courage of Conscience Recipients List
