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The Society of Priests for a Free Ministry (SPFM) was a national association of former Roman Catholic priests with the stated purpose "to renew the Roman Catholic Church through an experimental ministry that focuses on becoming more conscious of the needs of ex-priests and clergy and those of local communities and mankind." This experimental group, not sanctioned by the official Roman Catholic Church, was formed in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 5, 1968. The SPFM was a loosely organized umbrella organization with local chapters and an elected executive body. The organization lobbied the Church to seek permission for married priests to continue to serve their congregations, found jobs for ex-priests, and worked with other progressive Catholic organizations to promote its goals. The SPFM published Diaspora and held annual national conventions. The SPFM was transformed during its 1973 Convention held on Staten Island when the membership decided to change the organization to the Fellowship of Christian Ministries (FCM). The FCM stressed that ordained ministry, married or celibate, drew its strength from small Christian communities and its focus shifted from a renewal of the organized Roman Catholic Church. The FCM supported women in the sacramental ministry and reached out to non-Catholic Christian groups. The Fellowship of Christian Ministries changed its name again in 1981 to the Federation of Christian Ministries. Other groups influenced by SPFM include the Corps of Reserve Priests United for Service (CORPUS) formed in Chicago in 1974. CORPUS sought a reformed or renewed priesthood and closely collaborated with Catholic Organizations for Renewal (COR) and the International Federation of Married Catholic Priests.
The Society of Priests for a Free Ministry Records include statements of purpose, the organization's constitution, membership lists, newsletters, correspondence, clippings, audio tapes, photographs, and printed materials. Newsletters and other materials from affiliated organizations such as Enablement Inc. also constitute part of the SPFM Records.
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Society of Priests for a Free Ministry records, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago