Baptism

[SyroMalankara]

Is it ok to have Orthodox godparents for an Eastern Catholic child? What about Roman child?

 

[Dr.Colossus]

Godparents, or more correctly “baptismal sponsors”, in the Catholic Church (both Eastern and Roman) are called to be living examples of the faith. Therefore, they must be Catholic. An orthodox godparent would not be a witness to a very important aspect of the faith, namely obedience to the Holy Father.

 

[Catholic2003]

Only one godparent can be Orthodox per the Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism:

1. It is the Catholic understanding that godparents, in a liturgical and canonical sense, should themselves be members of the Church or ecclesial Community in which the baptism is being celebrated. They do not merely undertake a responsibility for the Christian education of the person being baptized (or confirmed) as a relation or friend; they are also there as representatives of a community of faith, standing as guarantees of the candidate’s faith and desire for ecclesial communion.

a) However, based on the common baptism and because of ties of blood or friendship, a baptized person who belongs to another ecclesial Community may be admitted as a witness to the baptism, but only together with a Catholic godparent. A Catholic may do the same for a person being baptized in another ecclesial Community.

b) Because of the close communion between the Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Churches, it is permissible for a just cause for an Eastern faithful to act as godparent; together with a Catholic godparent, at the baptism of a Catholic infant or adult, so long as there is provision for the Catholic education of the person being baptized, and it is clear that the godparent is a suitable one.

Rule 98(a) applies to Protestants; rule 98(b) applies to Eastern Orthodox.