Baptism: Appropriate Godparent?

[Esperanto99]

The circle of eligible godparents around me is small, and I am considering asking my sister to be the godmother to my new daughter.

We were talking with my cousin regarding the Eucharist, and it appears that she does not believe in transubstantiation, that the Eucharist is merely symbolic. I explained to her the true importance and the Real Presence, she still doesn’t understand.

Would I be (a.) justified] / (b.) obligated] to pass her over for condsideration as a sponsor?

 

[Servulus]

According to the Code of Canon Law:
"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."

There may be a problem with #3. Since the principal responsibility of the sponsor is to support the growth and development of the Faith in the one baptized, you’d probably be well advised to continue your search. I hope that helps.

 

[Dr.Colossus]

The idea of a godparent, or more accurately a baptismal sponsor, is that they be an ideal role model in the faith. If your sister does not truly believe in the Real Presence (i.e., the most important dogma of the Catholic Faith), then I don’t see how she would fulfill that requirement.

 

[Shiann]

Dr. Colossus:

The idea of a godparent, or more accurately a baptismal sponsor, is that they be an ideal role model in the faith. If your sister does not truly believe in the Real Presence (i.e., the most important dogma of the Catholic Faith), then I don’t see how she would fulfill that requirement.

ITA- mabey you could consider someone inside your parish- who you know to be faithful, rather than someone in your family and friend circle if there isn’t anyone appropriate.

 

[ATeNumquam]

Hmmmm…

My brother-in-law who was a Baptist but has not darkened the doors of a church for 30 years except for weddings and funerals, was asked by a Catholic employee to be the godfather of their child. From the point of view of good character, he is irreproachable, but it seemed wildly inappropriate to me. So as not to offend him, I said nothing. I’m not even too sure what beliefs, if any, my b-i-l still has. (Btw, I am the only Catholic in my extended family, a convert)
My nephew (30ish) was also asked to be a godfather (thankfully, not in the Catholic church) and he doesn’t even believe in God!!

 

[rfk]

ATeNumquam:

My brother-in-law who was a Baptist but has not darkened the doors of a church for 30 years except for weddings and funerals, was asked by a Catholic employee to be the godfather of their child.

A non-Catholic can be a “witness” at a Catholic Baptism, but the Church requires at least one Catholic sponsor.

 

[Paul_W]

There is no requirement that the godparent be related.

Don’t you have close friends who are Catholic? If not, it’s even more important that your daughter’s godparents have impeccable theological credidentials.