donatism
/ˈdɑnəˌtɪzəm/
noun
- A Christian movement from the 4th and 5th centuries that believed the effectiveness of sacraments depended on the moral purity of the clergy.
- The controversy over Donatism divided the early Christian church in North Africa.
- Donatism argued that priests who had betrayed their faith could not perform valid baptisms.
- Historians study Donatism to understand how early Christians viewed church authority and holiness.