French Priest Father Jacques Lacroix suspended over slapping baby during baptism

The French priest who slapped a baby during a baptism has been identified and suspended from all baptisms and marriage celebrations.

In a statement released Friday by Meaux Dioceses in France, Father Jacques Lacroix, 89, has been removed from all activities surrounding the church after the video went viral.

“Since June 21, a video circulates in the press and social networks on which we can see a priest (89 years), celebrate the baptism of a child in Seine-et-Marne,” the statement read. “This short video is an excerpt from the celebration which the baby cries a lot. The elderly priest loses his temper and slaps the child. Aware of this inappropriate gesture, the priest apologized to the family at the end of the baptism.”

“On Friday, June 22, Bishop Nahmias, Bishop of Meaux, took provisional measures to ensure that the priest was suspended from all baptism and marriage celebrations,” the statement continued. “These measures also require him not to intervene on the Collegiate Church of Champeaux now and to celebrate masses only at the express request of the parish priest.”

“Let us confide to the Lord the family of the baptized and our brother Jacques Lacroix,” it concluded.

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