Baptismal Class for Godparents?

[maryjk]

I don’t know any cannon law about this, but St. Mary in Walnut Creek requires it. They want to see the paper before one can be the godparent in the ceremony. Some other parishes I have been also have the same requirement. The bottom line is not if this is a cannon law. The bottom line is if the church you are going to be Godparent requires it, then you have to respect their requirement; otherwise, they will not allow you to be the godparent in the baptism at their church. Or you can just decline to be the godparent if it is asking too much of you.

For me to attend a class like that, I would have to travel to a church that offered a “Godparent Class.” No church in my area offers one. Our area makes up rules for other sacraments, but they haven’t started to make them up for Baptism.

I would probably do what 1ke did. I would tell my pastor about the supposed requirement, and he would sign off on whatever I needed.

 

[hadulzo]

Had the same issue. Wichita requires it. My son, the godparent lives in Chicago. The parish never heard of it. My son met with the Deacon and his wife. the Church sent a letter to the parish in Wichita and everything is fine. Also my son hasn’t missed Sunday mass since. So I guess its a pretty good thing.

 

[IrishAm]

Is this a Southern California thing? I’ve never heard of it in the six Midwestern US dioceses in which I’ve lived.

Me either, nor up and down the east coast. What has been required, in each and every case, was a document from the Godparent(s)’ parish stating he/she/they were practicing Catholics in good standing with the church. Which makes sense.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Is this a Southern California thing? I’ve never heard of it in the six Midwestern US dioceses in which I’ve lived.

I’m an info junkie and get curious when I see things like this. So I chose Chicago as a midwestern city and some random parishes there.

Old St. Patrick’s Church: Once the form is received with a copy of the birth certificate, Betty O’Toole will contact you about upcoming dates and baptism preparation classes.

Assumption Church: Baptism Preparation Session
The next preparation session for parents and godparents of infants to be baptized is Monday May 12 from 7:00 to 8:15pm in the Rectory. Call the parish office to register.

Old St. Mary’s Church: …a parish minister will contact you about the required class for parents which takes place the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM. It is not necessary to wait until the child is born to attend the class.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish: Two Pre-Baptismal Clases:
They are on Wednesday at 6:00 PM. or Saturday at 9:00 AM. for 2 hours each. Please make sure to call to the office to check of the date that you are planing to come to take the classes is available.

 

[zz912]

To the origina poster, go speak with your pastor at your parish. Explain the situation, and ask for a letter from the parish signed by him stating you have been properly instructed regarding baptism, the role and responsibilities of godparents, and are duly qualified to be a godparent. Even offer to sit down with him so that he could go over it so he is comfortable signing the letter.

 

[zz912]

“godparent class” is ridiculous. I’m sorry but DREs are out of control setting up requirements that are NOT canonically supported.

I would just have my pastor certify something with the parish seal and if they didn’t like it then I would contact the diocese. While we have obligations under canon law, we also have rights. And there is NO canoincal requirement for “godparent class” in canon law and they cannot refuse to allow you to be a godparent if you meet the ACTUAL canon law requirements, which are:

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.

The parish is trying to make sure they meet qualification #1. There is so much poor catechesis, and knowledge about the Church, the faith, and baptism. They are trying to correct it. I would rethink your opposition to a parish trying to implement some standads to make sure the sacraments are not being abused and neglected. We should APPLAUD parishes that are taking these steps.

If those steps turn out to be harmful or ineffective, then we can revisit the topic and as always, we can look for other ways to improve the faith and the respect the sacraments deserve.

 

[maryjk]

I’m an info junkie and get curious when I see things like this. So I chose Chicago as a midwestern city and some random parishes there.

Old St. Patrick’s Church: Once the form is received with a copy of the birth certificate, Betty O’Toole will contact you about upcoming dates and baptism preparation classes.

Assumption Church: Baptism Preparation Session
The next preparation session for parents and godparents of infants to be baptized is Monday May 12 from 7:00 to 8:15pm in the Rectory. Call the parish office to register.

Old St. Mary’s Church: …a parish minister will contact you about the required class for parents which takes place the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM. It is not necessary to wait until the child is born to attend the class.

St. Francis of Assisi Parish: Two Pre-Baptismal Clases:
They are on Wednesday at 6:00 PM. or Saturday at 9:00 AM. for 2 hours each. Please make sure to call to the office to check of the date that you are planing to come to take the classes is available.

Only one of those mention a class that includes Godparents. The rest mention parents.

Sorry, it just seems like another hoop to jump through. Our parish adds them for other sacraments. Like an overnight retreat for Confirmation. But only if you are a student. No such requirement for RICA. Sitting through a class doesn’t show any knowledge. Just the ability to sit. An overnight retreat? The ability to not shower for a couple of days.

 

[1ke]

The parish requires one hour of class is not trampling upon anyone for anything.

A reasonable Catholic would have the courtesy to respect the parish’s requirement.
A conscientious Catholic would be glad to enhance his knowledge of Sacrament.
A responsible Catholic would want to be a good Godparent and refresh the church’s teaching.

After we are only talking about the effort of “one hour” .

I think you missed the part where the OP lives in a different place than where the baptism will take place and has been unable to find a “class” where she lives.

In absence of a class where she lives, it is not possible for her to “take a class”.

However, the lack of taking a class cannot disqualify her from being the godparent because it is NOT a canonical requirement for a godparent to take a class or receive any instruction or preparation AT ALL(in contrast to parents, where the canon specifically indicates preparation, although not a “class”).

 

[1ke]

The parish is trying to make sure they meet qualification #1. There is so much poor catechesis, and knowledge about the Church, the faith, and baptism. They are trying to correct it.

The OP shows no sign of poor catechesis or lack of knoweldge about the Church, faith or baptism. What she does show is a lack of access to a ‘class’.

People also have a tendency to equate aptitude with cognitive abilities. The “Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities” specifically states those with disabilities can be godparents. Therefore, we must be careful not to read more into the canonical requirement of aptitude than is there. One need not have a high level of intellectual capacity to be a sponsor-- those with cognitive disabilities can serve as godparents.

I would rethink your opposition to a parish trying to implement some standads to make sure the sacraments are not being abused and neglected. We should APPLAUD parishes that are taking these steps.

Canon law already has standards. A class is one way to approach reviewing canonical requirements. A class is not the only way, and certainly cannot be the “required” way or a disqualifier.

I’m not opposed to classes, to information sessions, to handing out books, to meetings with parents and/or godparents. I am opposed going beyond what the law calls for, trying to impose burdens upon people and most assuredly denying their rights under the law for failure to comply with made-up “requirements” that violate the law in the first place.

If those steps turn out to be harmful or ineffective, then we can revisit the topic and as always, we can look for other ways to improve the faith and the respect the sacraments deserve.

The Church has successfully run for 2000 years without godparent classes.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I think you missed the part where the OP lives in a different place than where the baptism will take place and has been unable to find a “class” where she lives.

In absence of a class where she lives, it is not possible for her to “take a class”.

Just to be clear, as I posted earlier, her OWN PARISH offers the class she needs as do several other parishes within a few miles of her home. You can debate whether or not classes are necessary or desirable, but you can’t claim that she isn’t able to attend one in a convenient location.

 

[1ke]

Just to be clear, as I posted earlier, her OWN PARISH offers the class she needs as do several other parishes within a few miles of her home. You can debate whether or not classes are necessary or desirable, but you can’t claim that she isn’t able to attend one in a convenient location.

What you posted is that parents seeking baptism participate in preparation that consists of spending an evening with couple in their home.

That is not the same thing as a baptism class, let alone for the godparents.

 

[Nicea325]

Originally Posted by 1ke
“godparent class” is ridiculous. I’m sorry but DREs are out of control setting up requirements that are NOT canonically supported.

I would just have my pastor certify something with the parish seal and if they didn’t like it then I would contact the diocese. While we have obligations under canon law, we also have rights. And there is NO canoincal requirement for “godparent class” in canon law and they cannot refuse to allow you to be a godparent if you meet the ACTUAL canon law requirements, which are:

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.

Exactly! I am a DRE and I find it absurd when a person or persons tell me a specific parish is telling them to take “Godparent” classes or else they cannot be sponsors. I tell them:

Here…these are the canonical requirements.

 

[Nicea325]

Baptismal classes are NOT mandated. Therefore, no reason to call the diocese if a parish does not have one.

Canon law states only that:

Can.* 867 §1. Parents are obliged to take care that infants are baptized in the first few weeks; as soon as possible after the birth or even before it, they are to go to the pastor to request the sacrament for their child and to be prepared properly for it.

Parents and godparents can be properly prepared to baptize their child in many ways that have nothing to do with sitting in a class, such as being an active practicing Catholic knowledgeable in their faith.

The pastor can interview them, the pastor can talk to them… If the pastor knows them well, he will know if they are “prepared” or not simply by knowing their practice of the faith, their knowledge of the sacraments, etc. If the pastor believes their knowledge and preparation to undertake raising their children in the fatih is somehow deficient, then he can take appropriate steps.

Yes…thanks for the correction. They are NOT mandated.

 

[PTL]

I think you missed the part where the OP lives in a different place than where the baptism will take place and has been unable to find a “class” where she lives.

In absence of a class where she lives, it is not possible for her to “take a class”.

I fully understand what OP said. Pleasant Hill and St. Mary in Walnut Creek are not far, the distance is fully manageable. I know Godparent’s class is not mandate, it depends on the requirement of the parish. What I want to say is that we should respect the parish’s requirement and comply with the requirement if manageable. In this particular case, it is manageable. Pleasant Hill, Concord, Walnut Creek are all in the same area. OP can contact St. Mary at Walnut Creek by calling them about the class. Also, I believe it is the same class for parents. I am sure every church offers baptism class for parents. Op can just attend the baptism class for parents at his local parish and get the certificate for Godparents. It is not hard. Although the baptism is going to be in LA, OP does not have to take class in LA. All he needs to do is to attend a baptism class, get a certificate and show it to the parish in LA.

It is all to do with our attitude. Are we going to be legalistic, arguing, and causing headache for the parish or do we want to have an attitude of cooperation?

 

[Joannm]

My daughter went to a baptism class at St. John Vianny in Walnut Creek. It was I believe the first Tuesday of the month. She said it was about an hour and interesting. I was funny because the pastoral associate giving the class asked why they were coming if the baby’s grandfather, who is baptizing her, is a deacon. She said she is just doing what the parish (not her own) asked her to do. Sometimes it is best to go along with what is expected of you and not go against the tide.

 

[Phemie]

What you posted is that parents seeking baptism participate in preparation that consists of spending an evening with couple in their home.

That is not the same thing as a baptism class, let alone for the godparents.

In some parishes that IS the baptism class. Parents who’ve previously had their children baptized become host couples for the preparation and instead of gathering in an office at the church they gather at someone’s home. The priest or catechist go there.

With our first 2 we had no preparation at all. Called my dad, who contacted his pastor and made an appointment for Baptism while we were home on holidays. No prior interview, nothing.

With the youngest the priest showed up at our house to ask why I wanted our son baptized. That threw me for a loop since I’d never asked myself ‘why’ only 'how soon can it happen". Now that I am responsible for baptismal preparation in our parish I see where he was going with that.

Canon Law had changed between the birth of our second and third child. I’ve sometimes wondered if that was the reason for the difference in the priest’s attitude to my request. Or maybe the priest back home, who had been my pastor for a few years and had officiated at our wedding before we moved away, simply assumed that I’d remained a faithful Catholic after I married.

 

[1ke]

In some parishes that IS the baptism class. Parents who’ve previously had their children baptized become host couples for the preparation and instead of gathering in an office at the church they gather at someone’s home. The priest or catechist go there.

Yes, i understand it is the “preparation” or “class” or whatever. But, it isn’t for godparents. It’s for the parents.

I would not go spend an evening in the home of a “host couple” in order to be the godparent to my nephew.

 

[dans0622]

“godparent class” is ridiculous. …

I’d have to agree. Just see if the proposed sponsor is a confirmed Catholic, living an objectively upright life. Maybe we have to teach the people how to hold the candle.

What next, wedding witness class?

Dan

 

[maryjk]

Yes, i understand it is the “preparation” or “class” or whatever. But, it isn’t for godparents. It’s for the parents.

I would not go spend an evening in the home of a “host couple” in order to be the godparent to my nephew.

And I don’t believe that it is a reasonable request when they ask you to go to the private home of the “host couple.”

What’s next? Asking couples getting married to visit the home of a married couple? Oh, wait, our parish tried that. When they found out that their “teaching couple” was headed for divorce, they decided that maybe that wasn’t such a great idea.

 

[SMHW]

Sometimes it is best to go along with what is expected of you and not go against the tide.

I don’t know if it is best. But it might be easiest. It’s certainly the easiest for those at the parish where the baptism is to be held.