A religious movement in early Christianity that argued priests who had sinned were not valid, challenging the Catholic church's authority.
From Donatus, a 4th-century Christian bishop in North Africa, plus -ism (a system or doctrine). The movement began around 313 CE as a response to clergy who had compromised during Roman persecution.
Donatism was Christianity's first big 'who gets to decide what's holy' fight—Donatists said a sinful priest couldn't do real miracles, and the Church said that's not how it works, sparking centuries of conflict!
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