Donatism

Donatism
   This refers to a North African Christian sect that dates back to the dispute over the election of Caecilian as bishop of Carthage in 312. Donatism was viewed as a heresy by the church. The movement was named after Donatus, primate of Numidia, who opposed Caecilian's election. Donatists were among the most educated Romanized citizens of Numidia. They believed that the validity of sacraments required that its ministers be in a state of sinlesness.
   The church refuted this notion. This resulted in theological and often violent disputes between Donatists and Orthodox Catholics. Since they opposed the religion of the Roman Empire, they also rebelled against its political power. In 337, Emperor Constantine exiled the group's leader to Gaul, and in 412 and 414, they were legally denied ecclesiastical and civil rights. Augustine worked against them and weakened the movement. Despite all these obstacles, with the arrival of the Vandals the movement was rejuvenated, and it survived in North Africa until the Arab conquests in the seventh century. Some historians claim that Donatism was one the factors contributing to the demise of Roman power in North Africa.
   See also Augustine; Chaouia.

Historical Dictionary of the Berbers (Imazighen) . . 2014.

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  • Donatism — Don a*tism, n. [Cf. F. Donatisme.] (Eccl. Hist.) The tenets of the Donatists. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Donatism — See Donatist. * * * Schismatic Christian movement in North Africa in the 4th century. It arose out of the debate over the status of church leaders who had cooperated with Roman officials during persecutions of Christians. The movement s leader,… …   Universalium

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  • Donatism — noun Etymology: Donatus, 4th century bishop of Carthage Date: 1588 the doctrines of a Christian sect arising in North Africa in 311 and holding that sanctity is essential for the administration of sacraments and church membership • Donatist noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • donatism — noun An early Christian belif which maintained that apostate priests were incapable of administering the sacraments, as opposed to the orthodox view that any sacrament administered by a properly ordained priest or bishop is valid, regardless of… …   Wiktionary

  • DONATISM —    a religious movement which developed during the fourth century in North Africa characterized by terrorist activity and exclusivistic BELIEFS. It was strongly opposed by AUGUSTINE who emphasized the CATHOLICITY of the CHURCH …   Concise dictionary of Religion

  • Donatism — n. religious movement developed during the 4th century in North Africa that promoted the belief that only those people who led an innocent life belonged in the church or could perform sacraments and that the validity of a sacrament relied on the… …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Donatism —    The beliefs of a schismatic group in North Africa in the fourth century who rejected the election of Caecilius as Bishop of Carthage and supported donatus …   Who’s Who in Christianity

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