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Godparents (Sponsors)
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The Role of Godparents
As you begin to prepare for your child’s Baptism, you are invited to reflect on the role and selection of a Godmother and Godfather (Sponsors). There are various customs and traditions that shape our understanding of the role and importance of these individuals.
Prior to inviting a relative or close friend to assume the role of Godparent, it is important to understand what our Church teaches. A Godparent is to be:
- At least sixteen years of age and have celebrated the Sacraments of Initiation in the Catholic Church (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist).
- Able and willing to enthusiastically profess his or her faith during the Rite of Baptism and ready to model a Catholic Christian lifestyle. Specifically, this means weekly participation in the Sunday Eucharist, which is a hallmark of a Catholic Christian life. (Canon 874)
- One or two in number; The child does not have more than two Godparents. However, if two Godparents are chosen, one is to be a man and the other a woman. (Canon 873).
- Not bound by any canonical penalty (legitimately imposed or declared) (Canon 874).
Now most people usually run into the problem of finding a Sponsor that is Catholic AND practicing (while also being Confirmed). Having a friend who is Protestant Jewish or does not practice their faith, does not make any logical sense. For how can a person stand before Almighty God, the priest, the family and the community in support of the child's Catholic Faith when they either do not believe or practice their own faith?
While it is very understandable that asking close friends and/or relatives to be Sponsors may be your first choice, you must think of it like; just because you are my best friend, I would not want you performing surgery on me or representing me in a court of law. There are certain qualifications that make one eligible for this role and there are some that do not.
So what about a Protestant friend that is active in their church? Can they be a Sponsor (Godparent)? The simple answer is no. However, they can participate as a "Christian Witness." Then again, you have to ask yourselves why would you ask someone to stand up for the Catholic faith for your child when they are not even Catholic?
A Christian Witness: is a baptized Christian and a member of a non-Catholic ecclesial community. (e.g. Anglican, United, Presbyterian, etc.) Christians from another denomination may act as a Christian witness. However, it is necessary to have one Catholic Godparent and you may have only one Christian witness. (Canon 874)The role of the Godparent should not be confused with that of a legal guardian. The relationship is spiritually based, not legally based. Parents are invited to make their choice of Godparents with the following in mind.
Inviting someone to be a Godparent implies the following:
- A request by the parents for the assistance of the Christian Community in general and the individual Godparents in particular in raising their child in the Catholic faith.
- An admission by the parents of their awareness that they need this assistance.
- An affirmation of the faith of the individuals invited to be Godparents and a challenge to them to witness to their Catholc faith.
- A statement by the parents that they want their child to be positively influenced by the faith and lives of the people they have invited.
- A reminder to the entire community that it has a shared responsibility to support each of its members.
Godparents “must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized - child or adult - on the road of Christian life. Their task is a truly ecclesial (Church) function.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1255)Prior to the Second Vatican Council and the revision and renewal of our Sacramental Rites during the Baptism of an infant, the Godparents where asked to answer for the infant in rejecting Satan and professing faith. The 1989 Rite of Baptism for Children, asks the parents AND Godparents to renew their own rejection of evil and to profess their faith so that they may offer these to nurture and foster the faith of the growing child.
In reflection upon the responsibilities of a Godparent, it is apparent that what is asked of the Godparent is really the mission each of us as Christians accepted as a part of our own Baptism. All of the baptized are to nurture faith and reach out to others in faith throughout our lives.
The Godparent is to be a model, guide and witness for your child as he or she grows in faith. It is good when a Godparent lives close to the family and is able to visit throughout the year. Before you invite someone, a relative or friend, to be your child’s godparent you are encouraged to spend time in prayer seeking guidance and wisdom.