CultureSeptember 1, 2026
recusant
REK-yuh-zuhnt
Definition
Refers to a person who refuses to submit to an established authority or complies with a religious regulation, specifically used here to describe a priest remaining faithful to Catholicism during historical periods of persecution.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin word 'recusare,' meaning to refuse or object. It entered English in the 16th century to describe those, specifically Catholics in England, who refused to attend services of the established Church of England.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe a priest who maintains his Catholic ministry during the era of Tudor-era persecution, highlighting the historical risks associated with religious nonconformity.
When Tradition Inspires Fiction
Read the full article ↗Crisis Magazine