Some of the Writings of Cordaro
The Challenge for Peace: a 25th Anniversary Reflection of Then and Now
Bridewell Jail Reports, 2007
Fourth Report from Bridewell by Frank Cordaro
Third Report from Bridewell by Frank Cordaro
Second Report from Bridewell by Frank Cordaro
First Report from Bridewell by Frank Cordaro
Speeches
Karl Rove Event in Iowa City, March 9, 2008
“Separation of Church and State: a Catholic Worker Perspective” Part 1 (video)
“Separation of Church and State: a Catholic Worker Perspective” Part 2 (video)
St. Patrick’s Day speech in Colorado, March 2007 (video)
Click the speaker icon on the left to hear a speech given by Frank on April 21, 2004. (audio only)
News Stories
"Peace activist brings crusade to Cedar Valley, plans Lenten retreat"
Monday, March 3, 2008, Waterloo Courier
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/03/03/news/metro/10159524.txt
"Still up for a fight, Former priest chooses to embrace civil disobedience"
April 1, 2007, Cedar Rapids Gazette
http://gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770331011
“Practicing Christian anarchy - Father Frank Cordaro”
May 13, 1993, The Progressive
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1295/is_/ai_13705068?tag=artBody;col1
Prison Journals, 2006
Cordaro Statement upon Leaving the Priesthood in 2003
Cordaro Agreement with Bishop Charron, 2000
“The Cordaros of Des Moines,” from Rosalie Riegle Troester’s book Voices from the Catholic Worker
Frank Cordaro
Frank Cordaro is co-founder of the Des Moines Catholic Worker Community. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Frank graduated from Dowling High School in Des Moines in 1969. He earned his B.A in Physical Education and Health from the University of Northern Iowa in 1973 and the Master of Divinity from Aquinas Institute of Theology in Dubuque, IA, in 1976. He also completed two years of continued seminary formation at St. John’s in Collegeville, MN, 1983-85.
One of Iowa's best-known civil disobeyers and peace-makers, Cordaro's activism has spanned four decades. Cordaro's numerous arrests while taking a stand for peace and social and economic justice have accumulated more than four years in jails and prisons. His protest efforts cover a wide range of issues including the current war in Iraq, nuclear weapons, the arms race, US foreign policies, nuclear power, the family farm crisis, and issues involving poverty in the United States.
Inspired as a young man by the work of Daniel and Phillip Berrigan as models of good coming from the Catholic priesthood, Frank felt and responded to a call to become a member of the next generation of Berrigan priests. After Frank was ordained in 1985, he continued his commitment to the Catholic Worker movement and to resistance during his years as a pastor. When he returned home to Iowa after serving a six month sentence in federal prison in Yankton, South Dakota, that had resulted from his participation in the May, 1998, Gods of Mental Plowshares witness, he agreed to take a leave of absence from active ministry when he found could not promise his bishop he would stop being a "lawbreaker."
After the one-year leave, he renegotiated with the Bishop and promised that he would not publicly advocate for women’s ordination and other reforms in the Church, and to dialogue with the Bishop on a case-by-case basis regarding his law-breaking activities.
Ultimately, however, the mortal wake-up call of a near-fatal heart attack in 2002 compelled Cordaro to face the depth of his internal conflict with that agreement as well as his personal struggle with his vow of celibacy. The epiphany resulted in Cordaro's decision to leave the priesthood in 2003.
Layman Cordaro continues to live and work at the Des Moines Catholic Worker. His current resistance work includes regular visits to Offutt Air Force Base and StratCom Headquarters in Omaha, legislators' and other official offices, campaign headquarters, military bases, and on the streets around Iowa and nation.
Cordaro accepts as many invitations as his schedule allows speaking with high school, universities, churches, and community groups as well as at protests and peace and justice rallies. Among his favorite topics are "Jesus the Nonviolent Resister," "A Call for a Resistance Church," and "Why More Christians Should Be in Jail."
Cordaro in front of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign headquarters, Jan. 2008
Cordaro protests the first Gulf War.
Frank Cordaro spills ashes in front of President Carter at a SALT Two briefing in the East Room of the White House, November 29, 1979. photo by Associated Press
Email Frank Cordaro
Cordaro and Shaw on Sabbatical
Mona Shaw and Frank Cordaro are on sabbatical until October 1, 2010. All inquiries about the Des Moines Catholic Worker should be sent to dmcatholicworker@gmail.com.
