Do we have to select godparents for our child?

[foxscape]

My wife and I will be having a baby soon and have been discussing possible choices for godparents. We are wondering if godparents are theologically essential or an outdated institution that could be dispensed with altogether.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

For Catholics, godparents are not absolutely required but fulfill a crucial role in the lives of the baptized, and so having at least one godparent is strongly urged:

In so far as possible, a person being baptized is to be assigned a sponsor. In the case of an adult baptism, the sponsor’s role is to assist the person in Christian initiation. In the case of an infant baptism, the role is together with the parents to present the child for baptism, and to help it to live a Christian life befitting the baptized, and faithfully to fulfil the duties inherent in baptism (canon 872, Code of Canon Law).

Your profile indicates that you are not Catholic but are Russian Orthodox. If that is the case, I recommend that you direct your question about baptism sponsors to your pastor.