Six-week-old baby dies during baptism when priest dunks her head three times in water in Romania

The Orthodox Church has come under pressure to change the rules of baptism rituals in Romania after the tragic death of a baby, during the ceremony that involves dipping the little one's body three times in holy water.

The six-week-old baby went into cardiac arrest and was taken to hospital but died hours later, as an autopsy showed fluid in her lungs.

Prosecutors have launched investigations into manslaughter against the priest of the northeastern city of Suceava.

Meanwhile an online petition calling for changes to the ritual had gathered 56,000 signatures by Friday.

The petition read: "The death of a baby during this practice is a great tragedy. This danger must be eliminated in order to preserve the joy of baptism".

One internet user denounced the brutality of the ritual while others criticized those who insisted that "it is God's will to preserve it".

Local media have reported several similar incidents in recent years.

Church spokesman Vasile Banescu suggested that priests should only sprinkle a little water on the baby's forehead, instead of fully submerging it.

But Mayor Teodosie, head of the traditional branch of the church, insisted that the ritual will not change.

The Romanian baptismal ritual requires that the baby be dipped three times in water while the priest must make sure that they do not drink the water.

Baptisms in Romania are serious events, sometimes as big as weddings, with dozens of guests and grand dinners.

More than 80 percent of Romanians are Orthodox, and the church is one of the most trusted institutions, according to opinion polls. /tch/