Parson
In the pre-Reformation church, a parson is the priest of an independent parish church, that is, a parish church not under the control of a larger ecclesiastical or monastic organization. The term is similar to rector and is in contrast to a vicar, a cleric whose revenue is usually, at least partially, appropriated by a larger organization.
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Famous quotes containing the word parson:
“‘Dear Captain Smith,’ the ghost replied, ‘you’ve used me ungenteelly.
The crowner’s quest goes hard with me because I’ve acted frailly,
And Parson Biggs won’t bury me, though I am dead Miss Bailey.’”
—George Colman (1762–1836)
“A good parson once said that where mystery begins religion ends. Cannot I say, as truly at least, of human laws, that where mystery begins justice ends?”
—Edmund Burke (1729–1797)
“In some countries a hunting parson is no uncommon sight. Such a one might make a good shepherd’s dog, but is far from being the Good Shepherd.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)