Sir, - I do not propose to trade blows with Mr Ian Cox (June 7th) on our differing views in regard to Protestant values but I feel that his recent letter should not go without comment. He commends Luther and John Wesley as "vociferous fundamentalists, theologically opposed to Papism, and therefore aligned with the policies of Orangeism". This statement is open to question. I cannot imagine either of those two great men supporting the Spirit of Drumcree. In any case, we are not living in the 16th or even the 18th centuries. Henry Cooke, whom Mr Cox mentions with approval, was a reactionary Ulster Presbyterian of the 19th century.
No doubt Mr Cox holds the liberal and conciliatory strand in Protestantism in contempt goes so far as to accuse Protestants in the Republic of "a Romeward trend". In my experience this is not so. It is surely ungracious as well as mistaken to speak of "Victor Griffin and his fellow turn coats". In this island "turncoat" is a highly emotive word. In short, Mr Cox's attitude seems to have more to do with politics than with a truly Protestant interpretation of Christ's teaching. - Yours, etc.,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.