86 Jesus, Prophet of Islam
Very little is knownaboutthisremarkableman. The books which
Donatus wrote and his precious library of manuscripts were all
burned by the Roman soldiers. They performed these deeds in the
name of the Roman Christian Church, which, with the support of a
pagan Emperor, was now beginning to grow in importance and
strength. Thus, little is known about his background, his personal
appearance, his friends and the events in his life.
It is known that Donatus was a fine orator and a great leader of
men. He was met with such enthusiasm wherever he went that
these times were remembered long after he had died. His follow
ers used to swear by his 'white hairs', He seems to have personi
fied the popular loathing for the worldly ecclesiastics who were
sure they would do weIl both in this life and the next if they per
formed the correct manoeuvres. His integrity and honesty were
recognised by friend and foe alike. He was known as the religious
reformer 'who purified the Church of Carthage from error.' 6 He
was regarded by the people as a worker of miracles and a saint
wiser than Daniel. He stood as firm as a rock against all attempts
to erode and alter the original teaching of Jesus.
Constantine wrote a letter to the two Churches urging them to
forget their differences and to unite under the Church favoured by
him. This letter is significant in that Constantine regarded himself
as being superior to the Church, whatever its form, and any refer
ence to Jesus was conspicuous by its absence. The letter had no
effect on anyone, and no progress was made in enforcing the deci
sion of the tribunal which had met at Arles.
In July 315 AD the Emperor returned to Rome. It was necessary
to go to Milan to suppress the Frankish incursions which had be
gun in the north of Italy. When he again had sorne time at his dis
posal, he appointed a commission to travel to Africa, examine the
situation and settle the dispute. When the commission arrived, it
was boycotted, and such a violent riot took place that its members
were forced to return to Italy without having achieved anything.
This disquieting news reached Constantine in 316 AD. He decided
to go to North Africa in person and himself give a clear ruling as to
exactly how the 5upreme Deity should be worshipped.
It is interesting that Constantine considered it within his com
petence to pass such a judgement. In the letter which he wrote to
the two Churches in Africa, he concluded:
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