Editing Donatism (section)

=={{anchor|Origins and controversy}}Origin and controversy==
The Roman governor of North Africa, lenient to the large Christian minority under his rule throughout [[Diocletianic Persecution|the Diocletianic Persecutions]], was satisfied when Christians handed over their [[scripture]]s as a token repudiation of faith. When the persecution ended, Christians who did so were called ''[[traditors|traditores]]''—"those who handed (the holy things) over"—by their critics (who were mainly from the poorer classes).{{Sfn | Cantor | 1995 | p = 51}}

Like third-century [[Novatianism]],<ref>{{citation | contribution = Novatianism | editor-last = Cross | editor-first = FL | title = The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church | place = New York | publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] | year = 2005}}.</ref> the Donatists were [[rigorists]]; the church must be a church of "saints" (not "sinners"), and sacraments administered by ''traditores'' were invalid. In 311 [[Caecilianus|Caecilian]] (a new bishop of [[Carthage]]) was consecrated by [[Felix of Aptungi]], an alleged ''traditor''. His opponents consecrated [[Majorinus]], a short-lived rival who was succeeded by Donatus.<ref name=Chapman>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05121a.htm Chapman, John. "Donatists." The Catholic Encyclopedia] Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 15 March 2021{{PD-notice}}</ref>

Two years later, a commission appointed by [[Pope Miltiades]] condemned the Donatists. They persisted, seeing themselves as the true church with valid sacraments. Because of their association with the [[Circumcellions]], the Donatists were repressed by Roman authorities. Although they had local support, their opponents were supported by Rome and by the rest of the [[Catholic Church]]. The Donatists were still a force during the lifetime of [[Augustine of Hippo]], and disappeared only after the seventh- and eighth-century [[Muslim conquest of the Maghreb|Muslim conquest]].<ref name = "Donatism">{{citation | contribution = Donatism | editor-last = Cross | editor-first = FL | title = The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church | place = New York | publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 2005}}.</ref> The Donatists refused to accept the sacraments and [[apostolic succession|spiritual authority]] of priests and bishops who were ''traditores'' during the persecution. The ''traditores'' had returned to positions of authority under [[Constantine I]]; according to the Donatists, sacraments administered by the ''traditores'' were invalid.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}

Whether the [[sacrament of Penance]] could reconcile a ''traditor'' to full communion was questioned, and the church's position was that the sacrament could. The church still imposed years- (sometimes decades-) long public [[penance]] for serious sins. A penitent would first beg for the prayers of those entering a church from outside its doors. They would next be permitted to kneel inside the church during the [[Divine Liturgy|Liturgy]]. After being allowed to stand with the congregation, the penitent would finally be allowed to receive the [[Eucharist]] again. According to Donatists, apostasy would permanently disqualify a man from church leadership.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 12, 2021|title=Forgive Us, as We Forgive: The Donatist Controversy|url=https://www.vanderbilt.edu/olli/class-materials/Forgive_Us_Our_Sins_Week4.pdf|url-status=live|access-date=31 Aug 2021|website=Vanderbilt.edu|publisher=Osher Institute, Vanderbilt University|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420070555/https://www.vanderbilt.edu/olli/class-materials/Forgive_Us_Our_Sins_Week4.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-20 }}</ref>

The validity of sacraments administered by priests and bishops who had been ''traditores'' was denied by the Donatists. According to Augustine, a sacrament was from God and ''ex opere operato'' (Latin for "from the work carried out"). A priest or bishop in a state of [[mortal sin]] could continue to administer valid sacraments.<ref>[http://catholicstraightanswers.com/if-a-priest-is-in-the-state-of-mortal-sin-can-he-still-offer-the-mass-and-perform-the-other-sacraments Catholic Answers]</ref> The Donatists believed that a repentant apostate priest could no longer consecrate the Eucharist. Some towns had both Donatist and orthodox congregations.{{cn|date=July 2023}}