Abstract
Abstract Donatism is a heresy named after Donatus (bishop of Carthage from 313 to 347), influential leader of the movement that developed from this heresy that broke with the Catholic Church. Donatism emerged following the persecution of Diocletian (303–305), which was particularly harsh in North Africa. Under persecution some clergy had given up their bibles for destruction rather than face death. When these clergy, known as traditors, later repented, the Donatists objected and claimed that their ministry was invalid since clergy were to be holy. The Donatists maintained that a traditor had removed himself from the true church and would need to be rebaptized if he was to return. They believed that the visible church was a holy presence in the world and could not contain hypocrites. The most significant and troublesome teaching of Donatism was that sacraments performed by impious or hypocritical clergy were invalid. This is the teaching most often in view when Donatism is alleged today.
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