Information for Godparents
Canon Law Requirements for Godparents for Baptism
There seems to be some confusion when Godparents are being considered between wanting to have one’s best friend or another relative or acquaintance be the God parent.
Catholics must have fully initiated Catholic as godparents; that is Godparents in a Catholic baptism needs to be a practicing Catholic and also needs to have received the three sacraments of Initiation, Baptism First Eucharist, and Confirmation. A Godparent cannot be expected to mentor a Godchild if the Godparent himself/herself hasn’t received all of the sacraments of initiation.
A person who is not a Catholic but is a member of a Christian Church with a valid baptism and who has received that valid Baptism in their own church can act as a Christian Witness for the child. In that case, the other sponsor needs to be a fully initiated practicing Catholic.
All Godparents (or the single Christian Witness) also have to have attained the age of 16. When there are two Godparents, one has to be male and the other female.
Also, a Godparent is a permanent choice. In other words if you have a falling out with the person or persons you select to be a Godparent, their name cannot be removed from the official record of the child’s baptism. Another consideration when making a choice of Godparent.
Please consult with the Pastor before asking the person you want as a Godparent to be certain that you have the correct information in order to make an appropriate choice.
Canon Law Citation:
SPONSORS
Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.
Can. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.
Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
1. be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
2. have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
3. be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
4. not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
5. not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism
Responsibilities of Godparents
To be chosen as a godparent is a special honor. You, above all others, have been entrusted with the responsibility to participate in this child's Christian life and education.
This privilege offers you the opportunity to develop a mutually enriching spiritual relationship - one that will last throughout this life and beyond.
Godparents make a promise to God, to the parents, to the child, and to the Church. You proclaim aloud a covenant to witness gospel attitudes and values in your life and in the relationships that will develop with this child.
You proclaim that you will be a Christian community for the child being baptized. You say you will surround this child with care concern, support, faith, trust, challenge and compassion as they mature.
There are many special ways you can nurture this spiritual relationship and become a special friend to your godchild. Among them are:
Congratulations!