(dn´tzm) (KEY) , schismatic movement among Christians of N Africa (fl. 4th cent.), led by Donatus, bishop of Casae Nigrae (fl. 313), and the theologian Donatus the Great or Donatus Magnus (d. 355). The schism arose when certain Christians protested the election of the bishop of Carthage, charging that his consecration by Felix, bishop of Aptunga, was invalid because Felix was considered a traditor (i.e., one who turns over sacred books and relics to the civil authorities during a persecution). Condemnation was extended to all in communion with Felix. Behind their objection lay the heresy, familiar to Montanism and Novatian, that only those living a blameless life belonged in the church, and, further, that the validity of any sacrament depended upon the personal worthiness of the priest administering it. The Donatist practice of rebaptizing was particularly abhorrent to the orthodox. Condemned by the Synod of Arles (314) and also by the Roman emperor, Constantine I, the Donatists seceded (316) and set up their own hierarchy. By 350 they outnumbered the orthodox Christians in Africa, and each city had its opposing orthodox and Donatist bishops. It was the teaching of St. Augustine, as presented in his writings and at the debate between orthodox and Donatist bishops at Carthage (411), that turned the tide against Donatism. Strong state suppression and ascetic excesses among some of their own members further reduced their number. The remnants of the schismatic movement had vanished along with African Christianity before the advent of the Islamic invaders.
This is the columbia encyclopedia version of it - aka the reader's digest condensed version of the nearly unreadable catholic version if you need to cut through the crap quickly. You'll note the distortion of the facts in bold that is actually an attempt to hide behind an allusion and give the impression of guilt by association. It's crafty in that it forces you into an assumption of what the manner of guilt is. The Catholic Encyclopedia gives a dissertation on it that reads like a bad dime novel and has all the intrigue of an episode of fishing with Ben Stein. For being well practiced they weren't incredibly imaginative liars.
That's the line I found most interesting.
Seems like every time that came up in the first few centuries... all of the Christians knocked it down.