Can a retired Priest be a RCIA candidate's sponsor or godfather?

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AnnieL184

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I was a Catholic in a communist country. After over 10 years running away from this country and currently living in the US, i called the church on my homeland and they said they lost my record of baptism. I did not have a confirmation yet. Then i got married to a Jewish guy and converted to Judaism. Recently, i decided to come back to Catholic but i lost my record. So I am taking RCIA class and about to find sponsors for my rebatism and confirmation. I couldn’t find the right one, except my Priest who is old enough to be my father. I do not have parents. I have asked my Priest to be a sponsor and God Father. Unfortunately he said he cannot do it. Can you please tell me why my Priest cannot be my sponsor or God Father? He is not only from the same motherland but teaching my RCIA.
 
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I am 16 years old and I am in confirmation classes now. A family-friend of mine, who is also one of our three parish priests, will be my sponsor. I know that Fr. Francisco is allowed to be my sponsor but I do not all of the details of your situation.

It sounds to me like because he is already teaching the class, he does not want to complicate the relationship between you and him. Also, I am not certain of the rules but I don’t think that RCIA teachers may sponsor their students. Your and his relationship is that of a teacher and student. It is best to have a separate sponsor.

I know it is hard to branch out to strangers in a new parish community to find someone willing to serve as your spiritual guide, but it is well worth it to make that leap of faith. Besides, what choice do you have?

God Bless
 
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I have no advice beyond what the previous poster said, I just wanted to say that sounds like a difficult life. You are very brave, good on you. God bless, I will pray for you. Can you ask your priest to suggest a sponsor for you? And then perhaps wait a while for a God parent and see if someone comes to mind.
 
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Then i have a second question. My Priest will retire in 6 years from now. Until then can he be .my sponsor? If yes, i can hold off the phone.
 
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AnnieL184 said:
I have asked my Priest to be a sponsor and God Father. Unfortunately he said he cannot do it. Can you please tell me why my Priest cannot be my sponsor or God Father? He is not only from the same motherland but teaching my RCIA.
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His reason for saying no doesn’t really matter. He said no and now you have to move on to choose someone else as your sponsor. Perhaps he could suggest someone for you to contact.
 
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I know i have to move on and accept the fact. But i still want the right answers. I need to collect all answers for all questions. Then i have to choose the right decision for my good soul. I just want to know if my Priest can sponsor me after he retires. If yes, i can wait.
 
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I am about to find a sponsor for my rebaptism and confirmation after finishing RCIA. I have 2 questions: 1) why can a Priest not be my sponsor? 2) if my Priest retires in 6 years, can he be a sponsor? I chose my Priest because he is not only old enough to be my father but also from the same motherland
 
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It would be up to a) the priest in question and b) diocesan policies. You can ask him and he will either accept or refuse.
 
Rebaptism? Do you mean a conditional baptism? Because if you’ve already had baptism, you don’t need it again
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
It would be up to a) the priest in question and b) diocesan policies. You can ask him and he will either accept or refuse.
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Right. There is nothing in the Church’s canon law that would prohibit a priest from being a sponsor. But there may be local policies that say something about it.
 
I had baptism in a communist country. After 40 years in the US, i lost my record. Then I got marrried to a Jew and converted. Now i go back to Catholic and am taking RCIA. I asked my Priest to be my sponsor but he said he cannot. That’s why i come up with such questions.
 
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Did you ask him why he refused? He’s the only one who can answer that question.
 
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That would not be so much of a rebaptism, as it would be a conditional baptism, so I think I kind of understand what you’re saying. My older sister had to have a conditional baptism , that’s why I asked.
 
I asked him why. He answered because he is a Priest. But i am still confused. The answer is not convinced.
 
I would not press the issue further. He has his reason, and he does not need to explain further than he cannot.
 
Years ago, one of the kids in our parish asked our pastor to be his sponsor and the pastor turned him down. I got the feeling that pastor was to busy to do the job adequately. Around the same time, a kid asked a retired priest here that was simply in residence and he was his sponsor. The retired priest was close to the kid’s family. I think there are a number of variables that can go into a “yes”.
 
AnnieL184 said:
I asked him why. He answered because he is a Priest. But i am still confused. The answer is not convinced.
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Sometimes we have a dream or an image of how something should be. Unfortunately, reality can get in the way of our dream. You asked him and he said no. Now you need to find someone else.

Are you getting to know others in your RCIA group? Perhaps one of them has a spouse, brother, sister, parent, or in-law who would like to be your sponsor.
 
Why would you want to wait six years? First, are you willing to gamble your soul? Are you willing to go without the Body and Blood of Christ? If you are willing to do either of these, you are placing your priest before Christ.
 
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OP, you have another thread asking the same thing. Your priest said he cannot. That was your answer.
 
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