Child is the work of the Satan

“She looked wan and weary and needed the physical support of two friends as she stood for the hour-long service, enduring the words of the nuns who told her that giving birth at the age of 66 was the "work of Satan".

Adriana Iliescu, who became the world's oldest mother in January after fertility treatment, drew the wrath of critics as her baby daughter, Eliza, was baptised into the Romanian Orthodox church last week. The private ceremony took place at the Convent of the Archangels Mihail and Gavril, just outside the capital, Bucharest.

A spokesman for the convent said: "We could not refuse to baptise this child - she needs to be baptised and it is the duty of the Church. But what the mother did was Satan's work."

At the time of Eliza's birth, the Church described Mrs Iliescu as "selfish". She, however, said the baby was a "gift from God", adding: "I never gave up my faith in God and in the power of trying to realise one's dreams."

The retired university professor and author of children's books became pregnant last year using donor eggs and sperm after nine years of fertility treatment.

Eliza was delivered five weeks prematurely, weighing just 3lbs after her twin sister died in the womb, and her first weeks were spent in intensive care.

Bogdan Marinescu, the fertility specialist who agreed to treat Mrs Iliescu because she was "in an appropriate condition to give birth", was among Eliza's godparents at the baptism.

The birth sparked a fierce debate around the world about whether pensioners should be helped to conceive. Religious and ethical groups described the pregnancy as "horrifying", "grotesque" and "the ultimate act of selfishness", pointing out that Mrs Iliescu will be 84 when her daughter reaches 18. Last week's ceremony will have done little to soothe the critics.

continued...”

“wonder what the proper age of childbearing is. ya know, the good christian time span.

i'm not defending this woman or attacking her. i just would like to know what the bible says about this.”

“Sarah was 90... But she wasn't a Christian.”

“66 is way too old to be having a baby. she could leave that child motherless at any time, to name just one objection. but, as usual, the church is over-reacting.”

“I think their issue is with fertility treatments moreso than her age.”

“i think its more like having fertility treatments at her age”

“Yeah I'd agee with that CB.”

“If the child becomes motherless I'll help if nobody else will.”