La identidad cristiana en el debate entre católicos y donatista (2)

The preserved Donatist literature reveals an exaltation of violence—whether suffered, desired, or sought. The persecution they endured is presented as evidence that the Donatist Church is the only true one, while the perpetrators of that violence, namely the Catholics, could no longer even call themselves “Christian.” The latter must be condemned, excluded, and ultimately consigned to the punishments of hell. Violence thus emerges as a rhetorical, foundational, and central element, generally articulated in biblical language. However, it does not appear that the Donatist hierarchy supported transforming this fervent rhetoric into concrete actions. Indeed, as their adversaries themselves admit, they often distanced themselves from the attacks carried out by their co-religionists, and at times even condemned them. Nevertheless, such inflamed rhetoric could hardly remain without consequence.