Reading James R. Cox's letter [TLC, Jan. 26] I was reminded of Groucho Marx's famous quip that he would never join any club that would admit him as a member. For Canon Cox seems to have an unseemly fondness for the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches, neither of which recognizes the validity of his priestly orders. It is interesting that the "liberal" Anglican Communion is the only branch of the Catholic Church which welcomes the other two branches to the Lord's table.

It is also interesting that those individuals among us who claim to be so "traditional" have such love for the 1928 prayer book, etc., seem to have conveniently forgotten the 39 Articles of Religion which were expressly written to purge the church of un-scriptural and anti-scriptural Roman excesses.

Hopefully Canon Cox's former Episcopal acolytes will find happiness in their new homes: safe havens where they will never have to endure women priests, women college chaplains, gay clergy, or the concept of civil rights for all Americans.

Paul Glavin

Lenox, Mass.