An Old Priest, a Crying Baby, and a Social Media Storm
The Incident That Shocked the World
Last Thursday, a video that went viral showed an 89‑year‑old French Catholic priest in a small church in Champeaux—just 50 km southeast of Paris—trying to baptize a little bundle of joy. When the baby refused to stay still, the priest, in a dramatic moment, slapped the infant’s cheek twice. The sound of gasps and the frantic halt of the ceremony sent waves of outrage across social media.
The Church’s Response
The diocese of Meaux straight away explained that the priest’s loss of temper was likely due to fatigue, “but that does not excuse it.”
They announced that the priest would be suspended from all liturgical duties—no more baptisms, weddings, or Masses—effective immediately.
What the Priest Said
When interviewed by France Info Radio, the priest described the situation:
He added that his actions were “trying to calm him down” and that he had “no idea what to do” in the moment.
Bottom Line
What started as a routine baptism turned into a cautionary tale about the pressures faced by senior clergy and the importance of handling delicate moments with care—and, of course, the power of footage to bring truth to light.
