Romania’s Orthodox Church under fire over baptismal ritual after baby’s death

“Given the tragic situations in which infants died after being immersed in water in baptism, the church must urgently regulate this practice!” the petition reads.

The six-week-old baby got stuck in cardio-respiratory system on Sunday after being dipped into a baptismal font three times during his baptism at a church in Suceava, northeastern Romania, CNN subsidiary Antena 3 reports.

According to Antena 3, the police have started a criminal investigation into manslaughter.

“This is undoubtedly a tragic case, a case that needs to be investigated. Let us not think that a child can be put in the water without covering his nose, mouth and ears,” said Vasile Bănescu, spokesperson for the Romanian Patriarchate, said. , told Antena 3 on Monday.

“There is a technique that an experienced priest always uses. This is how a baptism is celebrated with the greatest care,” Bănescu added.

Vladimir Dumitru, who started the online petition, told CNN that he did not want to abolish the ritual of Orthodox baptism “but to change the sometimes cruel practice that carries the risk of drowning, especially in the case of children with health problems. “

“The petition is not aimed at the institution of the Church or against the priests, but has a constructive intent,” he told CNN.

“Through this petition, we want baptism to be symbolic by sprinkling the baby on top of his head and not completely immersing him three times, and this non-invasive use should be made compulsory in all Orthodox Churches in Romania and in the Diaspora., ‘he said in an email.

CNN contacted the Romanian Orthodox Church and Suceava police for comment.