6-Week-Old Baby Dies Following Baptism Ceremony

In Romania, the Orthodox Church is embroiled in controversy after a 6-week-old baby died from cardiac arrest following a baptism ceremony, reports British newspaper The Guardian.

The infant suffered a cardiac arrest on Monday and was rushed to the hospital, but passed away just a few hours later. An autopsy revealed the presence of fluid in the lungs. Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the priest for homicide in the northeastern city of Suceava.

In the wake of this disturbing incident, an online petition has been started to call for changes to baptism practices, garnering over 56,000 signatures by Thursday evening. The petition states, “The death of this newborn due to these practices is an enormous tragedy. This risk must be eliminated to transform the joy of baptism into a celebration of victory.”

The incident has sparked extensive discussion across the country. The church's spokesperson, Vasile Banescu, stated that clergy could simply sprinkle a little water on the infants' foreheads; however, the church's conservative wing leader, Archbishop Teodosie, declared that the ritual is not subject to change. More than 80% of Romanians are Orthodox, and according to recent surveys, the church is among the most trusted institutions in the country.