The Orthodox Church in Romania is facing growing pressure to change baptism rituals after a six-week-old baby died following a ceremony earlier this week.
The baby boy
reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest during the Baptism on Monday and was
rushed to hospital but died a few hours later, with autopsy revealing liquid in
his lungs.
Prosecutors
have now opened a manslaughter investigation against the priest in the
north-eastern city of Suceava.
An online
petition calling for changes to the ritual had gathered more than 56,000
signatures by Thursday evening.
“The death of
a new born baby because of this practice is a huge tragedy,” said a message
with the petition. “This risk must be ruled out for the joy of baptism to
triumph.”
Due to
several similar incidents in recent years, Church spokesman, Vasile Banescu had
suggested that priests pour a little water on the baby’s forehead instead of
immersing infants three times in holy water. But Archbishop Teodosie, leader of
the Church’s traditionalist wing, said the ritual would not change.
More than 80%
of Romanians are Orthodox and the Church is one of the most trusted
institutions, according to recent opinion polls.
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