The French Catholic priest who slapped a 2-year-old boy during a baptism ceremony said he regretted his decision and announced his retirement, The Daily Mail reported.
[ >> Read more trending news ]
A video of Father Jacques Lacroix, 89, went viral after Sunday's baptism ceremony in the southeastern suburbs of Paris.
“I apologized for my clumsiness to the family. I am finishing my ministry now, it was my last baptism,” Lacroix said. “There is an end to everything.”
A Reddit user posted video that showed a clearly irritated Lacroix using his left hand to slap the child. The video also was posted on YouTube.
The furor caused the priest to resign.
[ >> Watch: Priest slaps crying baby during baptism ceremony ]