Father Frank Ruff, principal speaker on Reformation Sunday at the First Methodist Church at Grantville, Ga., said the Church today is in dire need of reformation.

“Today, I stand before you in the tradition of Isaiah calling the Church of his time to reformation, in the tradition of Jesus Christ calling for reformation, in the tradition of Martin Luther calling for reformation, and in the tradition of John Wesley calling for reformation.

“I am convinced that the Church today is in dire need of reformation. And I believe it for these reasons; when a local church can welcome into its midst any newcomer from any place as long as he is of the same social class and effectively discourage anyone of another social class to attend, then I think the Church needs reformation.

“I am not making a judgment of your local Church because I do not know your attitudes, but I am making this judgment of the majority of Christian churches in this country today. By this attitude they turn their church into a social club and become heretical by denying that Christ did for all men regardless of social class.”

Father Ruff said that many intelligent and dedicated persons are leaving the churches today. “They see the need for reformation, but they do not see that the Church has the desire or power within itself to accomplish this reformation. I do not belong to that camp. I have confidence that the Church will reform itself under the strength of the Holy Spirit. And I pledge my word that I will do everything in my power to work for that reformation in my denomination and I beg you to do the same in yours”.

The Glenmary priest said of one of the byproducts of the Reformation was separation into denominations. “Whether separation was necessary to achieve reformation, I am not wise enough to know. I do know that separation is always sad.”

H said he felt much at home preaching in a Methodist church since the Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ga., let Catholics use their building during the summer.