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Orthodox baptism in Romania (symbol image)
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The death of an infant shortly after an Orthodox baptism caused outrage in Romania.
The six-week-old child died in Suceava hospital on Monday.
According to the ritual, it was completely immersed in holy water three times.
An online petition calling for a change in Orthodox baptismal practice has been signed more than 57,000 times.
Manslaughter proceedings initiated
The autopsy found water in the baby's lungs.
The prosecution started a manslaughter trial against the priest who performed the baptism.
According to media reports, there have been several such cases in recent years.
This risk must be ruled out "in order to guarantee the joy of baptism," the petition's initiators now demand.
A spokesman for the Orthodox Church said that a few drops of holy water on the forehead would be sufficient.
However, Archbishop Teodosie, the leader of the conservative hardliners within the Romanian Church, said the ritual would not change.
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bbr / AFP