What is Donatism?

Answer

Donatism was a heretical sect of Christianity that challenged the established church in the fourth century, while Catholicism was gaining prominence. Originating in North Africa, Donatism taught that Christians were called to asceticism and personal purity, and that holiness was demonstrated through one’s faithfulness in enduring persecution. Those who faltered in their faith under the threat of death were deemed impure and unworthy of church membership. The Donatists believed their church to be the only true one and rejected the sacraments performed in other churches.

The roots of Donatism can be traced back to the Roman persecution of the church. In AD 303, Emperor Diocletian launched a brutal crackdown on all Christians, ordering the destruction of churches and Christian texts. During this persecution, many Christians either betrayed their fellow believers to the Romans or surrendered their Bibles. These betrayers were labeled as “traditores,” Christians who had exposed others to the authorities. To many Christians, this act of betrayal was seen as an indelible mark of wickedness.

In AD 311, Caecilian was ordained as the bishop of Carthage. One of the three bishops involved in the ordination was Felix of Aptunga, who had previously surrendered Christian texts for destruction. Consequently, Bishop Felix was considered a traditor. A group of around seventy bishops deemed Bishop Felix unsuitable for his position due to his betrayal. As a result, they argued that the consecration of Bishop Caecilian was invalid. These opposing bishops convened a synod and refused to recognize Bishop Caecilian as a legitimate church authority. The dispute over Caecilian’s legitimacy extended to the validity of the sacraments administered by Felix and other traditores. How could someone who had betrayed the teachings of God hold a position of authority within the Christian community? The questionable moral character of the clergyman was a central point of contention.

Seen as annulling the grace supposedly received through the sacraments he dispensed.

After Caecilian died, the bishopric of Carthage went to Aelius Donatus the Great. The term Donatism comes from his name. Bishop Donatus continued to advance the idea that any traditor who administered a sacrament polluted the sacrament to such an extent that it was no longer a conveyor of grace. Not only was a traditor to be excommunicated, but also all those who held fellowship with a traditor. The church was to be made of “saints,” not sinners. The Donatists began to re-baptize Christians who had been baptized in other churches; in so doing, they separated themselves from all other churches and basically upheld themselves as the only authoritative church body.

The Donatist issue was raised at several church councils, including the Council of Nicaea. In every council, the Donatist position was rejected. Donatism, however, continued its influence until Augustine of Hippo wrote a series of books, letters, and sermons that refuted the Donatist movement and argued that the effect of a sacrament is independent of the moral character of the minister. Donatism eventually died out in the fifth century.

The main problem with Donatism is that no person is pure in the sight of God «for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; », (Romans 3:23). If absolute holiness is required to serve God, then we are all unfit. Also, Donatism’s view of sin was too narrow. The Donatists demanded rectitude of the priests and bishops and other church leaders according to their own definition of rectitude—namely, an embrace of asceticism and unwavering fortitude under persecution. But, as Jesus taught, moral uprightness involves much more than external conformity to a church standard (Matthew 5–7).