Vᵉ siècle
Carthage, Roman North Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Conference of Carthage was the decisive imperial hearing between Catholic and Donatist bishops held in May and June 411. Convened under the authority of Marcellinus, it brought together rival African churches to debate the history and doctrine of their division. The Catholic delegation narrowly outnumbered the Donatists, and Marcellinus ruled for the Catholics. The decision led to the confiscation of Donatist churches and property and prepared the empire-wide proscription of Donatism in 412.
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Le récit
The Conference of Carthage took place in May and June 411 under the aegis of Marcellinus, described as Tribune and Imperial Notary. It was the last great occasion in the history of the Church of North Africa. Both Catholic and Donatist communities worked to assemble the largest possible representation, turning the hearing into a formal confrontation over the identity of the legitimate African Church.
The numerical balance was remarkably close. The Catholics brought 286 bishops, while the Donatists brought 284. The debate lasted three days and addressed both the historical origins of the schism and its doctrinal consequences. Each bishop had to stand and identify himself, producing a record that revealed the regional geography of the two communions.
The Donatists held the advantage in country districts, Numidia, and Mauretania. Catholics predominated in the more Romanized areas of Proconsular Africa and Byzacena, as well as among possessing classes and the new aristocracy dependent on imperial patronage. Marcellinus, who was a friend of Augustine, decided that the Catholics represented the true Church in Africa.
The ruling had immediate material effects. On 26 June, Marcellinus ordered the confiscation of Donatist churches and property and prohibited Donatists from holding services. The decision translated a theological judgment into an administrative programme aimed at dismantling Donatist institutional life.
The imperial government completed this process on 30 January 412, when Emperor Honorius proscribed Donatism throughout the empire. Donatist clergy were offered exile or submission. Although Donatist leaders continued to organize after the conference, the Carthage decision marked the decisive public defeat of their church and the triumph of Catholic authority in Roman North Africa.
Vᵉ siècle
Carthage, Roman North Africa
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Conference of Carthage was the decisive imperial hearing between Catholic and Donatist bishops held in May and June 411. Convened under the authority of Marcellinus, it brought together rival African churches to debate the history and doctrine of their division. The Catholic delegation narrowly outnumbered the Donatists, and Marcellinus ruled for the Catholics. The decision led to the confiscation of Donatist churches and property and prepared the empire-wide proscription of Donatism in 412.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
The Conference of Carthage took place in May and June 411 under the aegis of Marcellinus, described as Tribune and Imperial Notary. It was the last great occasion in the history of the Church of North Africa. Both Catholic and Donatist communities worked to assemble the largest possible representation, turning the hearing into a formal confrontation over the identity of the legitimate African Church.
The numerical balance was remarkably close. The Catholics brought 286 bishops, while the Donatists brought 284. The debate lasted three days and addressed both the historical origins of the schism and its doctrinal consequences. Each bishop had to stand and identify himself, producing a record that revealed the regional geography of the two communions.
The Donatists held the advantage in country districts, Numidia, and Mauretania. Catholics predominated in the more Romanized areas of Proconsular Africa and Byzacena, as well as among possessing classes and the new aristocracy dependent on imperial patronage. Marcellinus, who was a friend of Augustine, decided that the Catholics represented the true Church in Africa.
The ruling had immediate material effects. On 26 June, Marcellinus ordered the confiscation of Donatist churches and property and prohibited Donatists from holding services. The decision translated a theological judgment into an administrative programme aimed at dismantling Donatist institutional life.
The imperial government completed this process on 30 January 412, when Emperor Honorius proscribed Donatism throughout the empire. Donatist clergy were offered exile or submission. Although Donatist leaders continued to organize after the conference, the Carthage decision marked the decisive public defeat of their church and the triumph of Catholic authority in Roman North Africa.
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