A schism is a division between people, usually belonging to an organization, movement, or religious denomination. The word is most frequently applied to a split in what had previously been a single religious body, such as the Great East–West Schism or the Western Schism.

What is a schismatic Catholic?

According to Roman Catholic canon law, a schismatic is a baptized person who, though continuing to call himself a Christian, refuses submission to the pope or fellowship with members of the church. Other churches have similarly defined schism juridically in terms of separation from their own communion.

What is an example of schism?

The definition of a schism is a split of a group into different sections as a result of a difference in beliefs. ... When members of a church congregation disagree and divide into two separate churches based on their different beliefs, this is an example of a schism.