Some of the most intense persecution the early church ever experienced occurred under the Emperor Diocletian between 303 AD and 305 AD. Others, however, including a number of church leaders in North Africa, turned over their religious texts to the authorities (or handed over fakes) rather than face death. When the Catholic Church allowed these “traditors” to retain their positions after the persecution ended, some Christians balked. Ultimately, St. Augustine himself got involved, siding with the Catholic Church and against the dissenters. The schism in the North African church continued for well over a century.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 08, 2018 09:11 UTC