Can one pick a new Godparent for a child?

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netmilsmom

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My hubby and I chose my sister, who was a good Catholic as a Godmother and his brother, a Non Catholic as a sponsor.

My sister has fallen away. Can I choose a new Godmother?
 
This question was recently answered on the Ask an Apologist forum. In a word, the answer is no. You can, however, select a faithful friend or relative as a spiritual mentor for the child.
 
netmil(name removed by moderator):
My hubby and I chose my sister, who was a good Catholic as a Godmother and his brother, a Non Catholic as a sponsor.

My sister has fallen away. Can I choose a new Godmother?
Yes, you can change Godparents up to the day of the Baptism. (Some parishes may require several days to verify the eligibility of the new Godparent.) This is why if possible two Catholics who are unrelated to each other should be chosen as Godparents.
 
Br. Rich SFO:
Yes, you can change Godparents up to the day of the Baptism. (Some parishes may require several days to verify the eligibility of the new Godparent.) This is why if possible two Catholics who are unrelated to each other should be chosen as Godparents.
You are right, and I wish I would have done that.
 
What happens if you find out AFTER the Baptism that one of the Godparents wasn’t confirmed and therefore did not fulfill all of the qualifications of a Godparent.

We picked her because she is a Godparent to another child ASSUMING that she fulfilled all of the requirements. Now that we know she doesn’t after the fact, what options are available to us.
 
Sir Knight:
What happens if you find out AFTER the Baptism that one of the Godparents wasn’t confirmed and therefore did not fulfill all of the qualifications of a Godparent.

We picked her because she is a Godparent to another child ASSUMING that she fulfilled all of the requirements. Now that we know she doesn’t after the fact, what options are available to us.
That is an interesting question. It is an administrative error on the part of the Pastor. Since lack of a Godparent would not in any way invalidate the Sacrament he may simply choose not to do anything. I would guess that the Pastor could petition the Bishop to dispense the Confirmation requirement since all other things were in place and the Baptism is done and valid and can’t be repeated.
 
Sir Knight:
What happens if you find out AFTER the Baptism that one of the Godparents wasn’t confirmed and therefore did not fulfill all of the qualifications of a Godparent.
As long as one of the godparents met the conditions =baptized, confirmed, over 16 it is a sense a moot point. All that is required in canon law is one godparent who meets the conditions, although it is laudable to have a godmother and godfather.
 
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