Shocking! Priest Slaps Crying Baby During Baptism, People Gasp

In a 43-second YouTube video originally shared to Reddit a toddler, held by a woman who appears to be his mother, begins crying as a French speaking priest attempts to baptise him. The visibly upset clergyman is heard saying "calm down, calm down, you must calm down" before he slaps the child in front of a man and woman who appear to be his parents.

A man standing behind the child, who's suspected to be the baby's father, is also seen looking shocked at the priest's actions and shortly afterward begins to grab the child away from the priest.

Stunned witnesses say "he's afraid" and tell the priest to let go. I'm going to pour water on the forehead.

The disturbing video has been circulated on social media, but it is still unclear where it was filmed.

The priest was heard saying afterwards: "There, you have to calm yourself, you have to calm yourself, there, there". Added another: "A priest slaps my baby and I'm putting him on the cross". "If this ever happens to my child best believe there's gonna a lot more then just slapping happening to his face".

A shocking video of a child's baptism has gone viral, as it features a priest slapping the child across the face.

Orthodox baptisms are usually done "forcefully" but many online commentators have criticised the priest's rather rough approach.

The congregation gasps and admonishes him for his treatment of the child.