Baptism, no Godparents

[WordisLove]

Hello all,

I am a catholic convert. I have zero practicing catholic friends or family. If I were to have a child, at baptism is it permissible to only have witnesses, and can I later in the child’s life assign godparents if possible? Just wondering, I hope to have a child someday and this is a question I have had. Thanks.

 

[Joe_5859]

Here is what the Code of Canon Law says regarding the requirements to be a godparent (i.e. a “sponsor”):

CHAPTER IV.

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.

The child has to have at least one practicing Catholic (in good standing) to be a “sponsor” / godparent. Whoever are the “witnesses” you choose are the godparents. That can’t be changed later on.

Of course, you can always ask someone at a later time to be a spiritual mentor and/or prayer warrior for your child. That would not make that person your child’s godparent, but it never hurts to have good spiritual role models in your child’s life!

Perhaps by the time you have children, it will be a non-issue. Don’t underestimate the benefit of having good Catholic friends. If you don’t have any yet, try to find some. You can even find some here on CAF.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Hello all,

I am a catholic convert. I have zero practicing catholic friends or family. If I were to have a child, at baptism is it permissible to only have witnesses, and can I later in the child’s life assign godparents if possible? Just wondering, I hope to have a child someday and this is a question I have had. Thanks.

No, Canon law equires for licitness at least one qualied Catholic Godparent. Also you cannot have a Christian Witness without a qualified Catholic Godparent.

 

[WordisLove]

Ok, so it appears I need to start making some Catholic friends ASAP. It is not that I do not want any nor that I do not try. I am not the most outgoing person, especially when I am the instigator, but…with prayer we will see. Thanks.

 

[cameron_lansing]

Canon 872 actually reads, “Insofar as possible.”

If it is not possible to obtain a sponsor, who meets the qualifications of the canons cited in the post above and can fulfill the duties which they mention, baptism may be still conferred, and in that case, it is licitly conferred.

No one is bound to the impossible. However, I would think that the physical or moral impossibility of obtaining a sponsor would be a rare occurence.

In most cases when it seems difficult to obtain one, the parish priest can be of assistance, though. Most parishes are filled with people, albeit not blood relatives, who can qualify for, fulfill the role, and would in fact, do so with proper diligence.

 

[Joe_5859]

Canon 872 actually reads, “Insofar as possible.”

If it is not possible to obtain a sponsor, who meets the qualifications of the canons cited in the post above and can fulfill the duties which they mention, baptism may be still conferred, and in that case, it is licitly conferred.

No one is bound to the impossible. However, I would think that the physical or moral impossibility of obtaining a sponsor would be a rare occurence.

In most cases when it seems difficult to obtain one, the parish priest can be of assistance, though. Most parishes are filled with people, albeit not blood relatives, who can qualify for, fulfill the role, and would in fact, do so with proper diligence.

Thanks for that clarification. It would definitely be a good idea to talk it over with your pastor beforehand and see what he has to say.