Donatism (Noun)
Meaning
A schismatic Christian religion in northern Africa from the 4th to the 7th century; held that only those who led a blameless life belonged in the church or could administer the sacraments.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The early Christian church struggled to combat the spread of Donatism in northern Africa during the 4th century.
- Donatism emphasized the importance of moral purity among its clergy, leading to a rift with the mainstream Catholic Church.
- The Donatist movement gained significant support among the Berber population in North Africa, who felt disillusioned with the Catholic Church.
- Donatism was eventually condemned as a heresy by the Catholic Church, leading to a decline in its influence by the 7th century.
- The legacy of Donatism can be seen in the ongoing debates within Christianity about the role of clergy and the nature of sacraments.