# Novatianist schism (251)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/251-novatianist-schism
Location: Rome
Themes: Papacy

Novatian is set up as a rival bishop of Rome in a dispute over readmitting Christians who lapsed during persecution. At this point in the timeline (251), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Cornelius (March 251 – June 253). His claim was contested by Antipope Novatian.

## Why it matters
Novatianist schism mattered because it shaped the authority, policy or public role of the papacy and the Catholic Church.

Pope at the time: [Pope Cornelius](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-cornelius)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Novatianism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novatianism)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Novatianist schism](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Novatianist+schism)
- [Wikipedia — Early Church (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ante-Nicene_period)