Which of the following statements assesses Bishop Donatus’s reaction when Emperor Constantine recommended forgiveness for the church officials who were not protecting the church’s integrity?(1 point)

Question

Responses choose the correct answer carefully and tell me why

Donatus convinced Constantine to make Donatus the religious sovereign of the empire in order to punish the previous church leadership.
Donatus convinced Constantine to make Donatus the religious sovereign of the empire in order to punish the previous church leadership.

Donatus met with Constantine and asked him to reconsider his decision because Donatus felt that the decision could cause further harm to the church.
Donatus met with Constantine and asked him to reconsider his decision because Donatus felt that the decision could cause further harm to the church.

Donatus and his followers did not agree with Constantine’s assessment and moved to the northern part of Africa.
Donatus and his followers did not agree with Constantine’s assessment and moved to the northern part of Africa.

Donatus and his followers accepted Constantine’s recommendation, revising their beliefs and choosing to work things out with the local church leadership.
Donatus and his followers accepted Constantine’s recommendation, revising their beliefs and choosing to work things out with the local church leadership.
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Answer 1

The correct answer would be:

"Donatus met with Constantine and asked him to reconsider his decision because Donatus felt that the decision could cause further harm to the church."

Reasoning:

Bishop Donatus was a leader of a group known as the Donatists, who were critical of the Roman Empire's treatment of church leadership, particularly concerning the purity and integrity of the church. When Emperor Constantine recommended forgiveness for church officials who had not upheld the church's integrity, Donatus's reaction was rooted in his conviction that such leniency could undermine the church's moral authority and lead to greater harm.

This choice reflects Donatus's concern for the integrity of the church and his opposition to Constantine's more forgiving stance, which he believed could dilute the standards of the church. The other options either misrepresent Donatus's intentions or incorrectly describe his actions in response to Constantine's recommendations.