March 23, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Baby Joseph Maraachli has now been baptized, according to Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life.
In an e-mail update about baby Joseph’s status, Fr. Pavone announced: “Baby Joseph was baptized just the other day, and Jerry Horn of our Priests for Life team is now his godfather.”
The past two weeks have been full of major developments for Joseph and his family. After being airlifted to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri last week, on Monday doctors at the hospital performed the tracheotomy that Joseph’s parents have been requesting all along.
According to a press release from the hospital, Joseph is currently in the pediatric intensive care unit, where he is expected to spend seven to ten days. After that he will be transferred to a pediatric specialty hospital in St. Louis, before going home.
These happenings mark a dramatic change from just one month ago, when the Ontario hospital where Joseph was being treated was prepared to remove his breathing tube against his parents’ wishes, with the support of a court decision.
Moe Maraachli, Joseph’s father, said in response to this week’s events: “It’s a miracle. My son now has freedom. I’m very happy. My wife and I will respect the second opinion from the hospital in St. Louis. We will accept it with all my heart because Joseph got his human right to get a chance to get a second opinion. When God wants to take his life He’ll take it and nobody can say ‘No’ to God.”
In the recent update, Fr. Pavone explained, “Let me assure you, none of us at Priests for Life is saying that Baby Joseph – or anyone else, for that matter – should be given every treatment no matter what. Nor are we imposing any specific treatment on the child.
“All we wanted to do was give the child reasonable care and provide the parents with a second opinion. Period. And thanks to you and the incredible support from pro-life activists all across the country, Baby Joseph got that chance!”
Fr. Pavone also said that medical expenses are expected to rise to as much as $150,000 during Joseph’s stay in the U.S. Priests for Life has offered to cover all of the medical expenses, and is asking for the support of donors to help foot the bill.