schismatical
Promoting church division
Schismatical means tending toward or characterized by schism—division within a group, especially a religious organization.
The word describes people, factions, or actions that promote or result from such splits: schismatical tendencies within the congregation, a schismatical sect.
Schismatic is the more common form; schismatical sounds formal or archaic.
Formal barring from sacraments
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- reformationProcess of improving institutions
- orthodoxyAdherence to accepted beliefs
heterodoxy · ecumenism · communion · papacy · synod · council · bishopric · patriarch
Separation into parts
- riftCrack or estrangement
- ruptureViolent tearing apart
- breachBreaking of agreement
- separationState of being apart
fracture · cleavage · fissure · sundering · bifurcation · disunion · parting · fragmentation
Group within group
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- infightingRivalry within one organization
- dissensionConflict within a group
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
contention · conflict · feud · animosity · enmity · rivalry · antagonism · friction
Opponent of orthodoxy
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
- hereticChallenger of official doctrine
- apostateOne who renounces faith
- recusantOne refusing required obedience
separatist · splinter · breakaway · defector · rebel · iconoclast · freethinker · sectary
Breakaway religious faction
- cultFervent fringe group
- denominationNamed religious group
- splinter groupBreakaway subset of organization
- factionGroup within group
fundamentalism · puritanism · pietism · ritualism · orthodoxy · heterodoxy · partisanship · exclusivism
excommunication
Formal barring from sacraments
- heresyBelief opposing official doctrine
- apostasyRenunciation of former beliefs
- reformationProcess of improving institutions
orthodoxy · heterodoxy · ecumenism · communion · papacy · synod · council · bishopric · patriarch · canon
split
Separation into parts
separation · fracture · cleavage · fissure · sundering · bifurcation · disunion · parting · fragmentation · break
faction
Group within group
- factionalismDivision into opposing cliques
- infightingRivalry within one organization
- dissensionConflict within a group
strife · contention · conflict · feud · animosity · enmity · rivalry · antagonism · friction · disunity
dissenter
Opponent of orthodoxy
- nonconformistRejects prevailing social standards
- hereticChallenger of official doctrine
- apostateOne who renounces faith
recusant · separatist · splinter · breakaway · defector · rebel · iconoclast · freethinker · sectary · dissident
sect
Breakaway religious faction
- cultFervent fringe group
- denominationNamed religious group
- splinter groupBreakaway subset of organization
faction · fundamentalism · puritanism · pietism · ritualism · orthodoxy · heterodoxy · partisanship · exclusivism · insularity
schismaticalunifying
Making disparate elements one
uniting · cohesive · integrative · harmonizing · consolidating