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Catholic recusants secretly practiced their faith; Jesuits roamed the country incognito; and zealots didn’t shrink from terrorist acts.

But his parents in England had been “recusants,” Catholics who refused to attend the Protestant Anglican Church, as required by law after the Reformation.

Given the obstacles that President Obama has had to overcome-racism, republicans, right wingers, radical Muslims, the rich, recusants and Romney he deserves a higher rating.

Philips, an English recusant, settled in Brussels and knew Brueghel and Rubens well, his music celebrated in artistic circles as an engine of the Counter-Reformation.

Unlike one fellow resident, who doesn't step outside once in three months, Francis will not be a recusant.