The Donatist Heresy and Constantine the Great

Causes of the North African Schism in the Early 4th Century

Jun 9, 2009

Following Constantine's policies of religious toleration, the Christian Church began to turn on itself through heresies like Donatism, threatening public peace.

The great persecutions of Christians during Imperial Rome ended with Emperor Constantine the Great, who embraced Christianity and supported the movement. Constantine, always a promoter of public peace, viewed the Christian Church as a Utopian community complementing the political unity of the Empire. This was not to be, however, as Christians began to turn against each other. One of these examples can be found in North Africa, where the Donatist heresy threatened the universal church.

Political and Spiritual Views of the Donatists

During the Great Persecution under the Emperor Diocletian and his rabidly anti-Christian deputy Galerius, many Christians turned against the faith, offering incense to pagan idols and renouncing Christian beliefs publicly. Even bishops became traditores, surrendering Sacred Scripture to the Roman authorities or burning them.

Debt-ridden poor Christians, on the other hand, eagerly turned themselves in to the authorities. Imprisoned and later released once the persecutions ended, these would-be martyrs received support from wealthy Christians in recognition of their supposed selfless heroism. As the Donatists pointed out, the motives of these poor Christians were clouded by self-serving issues.

Led by Bishop Donatus, the Donatists rejected the authority of bishops that were viewed as traditores or traitors. They also deemed the consecration of bishops at the hands of other “unworthy” bishops invalid. This was the case of Caecilian, the newly consecrated bishop of Carthage.

Additionally, political considerations played a part in the schism. Donatus was supported by the Numidian clergy who were opposed to the church at Carthage. In time, all of North Africa was enflamed by the controversy and both sides appealed to Constantine. Pro Caecilian factions appealed to Rome.

A synod of bishops was held in Rome in 313 at the recommendation of Constantine. Comprised of predominantly Italian bishops as well as bishops from Gaul, the synod canvassed the evidence. Donatus and his supporters were unable to produce decisive evidence for their claims, specifically reasons for the setting aside of Caecilian as bishop of Carthage. Although the synod ruled against the Donatists, they continued their efforts.

Receiving further appeals, the emperor, in 314, proposed a general council to be held in Arles in southern France. The Council of Arles condemned and excommunicated the Donatists, asserting that baptism given by heretics was valid (Canon 8) and that “the validity of a sacrament does not depend on the dignity or sanctity of the persons who confers it” (Ricciotti, 239).

A further investigation by Constantine, made with utmost care and relying on many documents and witnesses, demonstrated that members of the Donatist clergy had themselves denied the faith during the prior persecutions as well as offering up Sacred Scripture for burning. In many ways, the results of this investigation highlighted the political nature of the schism.

Continued agitation by the Donatists finally caused Constantine in 316 to formally declare Caecilian innocent. Donatist bishops were banished and their property seized. Soldiers were sent to North Africa to enforce peace and restore Donatist churches to the Catholic Church. Although driven underground, the Donatist movement continued until the Muslim conquest of North Africa.

The copyright of the article The Donatist Heresy and Constantine the Great in Roman History is owned by Michael Streich. Permission to republish The Donatist Heresy and Constantine the Great in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.