I am in the long process of converting to Catholicism. I have two children and one on the way. My oldest was baptized in a United Church and has wonderful godparents. He is converting with me. I want my other two children to be baptized in the Catholic Church, but we’ve no Catholic relatives or friends to be a god parent. A Christian Witness shouldn’t be a problem, I could even get two Christian Witnesses, but our only Catholic relatives have fallen away. My oldest unbaptized child just turned four and it’s really starting to bother me that he has not been baptized yet. Are god parents essential and do they absolutely have to be Catholic? can a grandparent be a god parent?
Thanks
Yes, at least one Godparent is essential (unless it’s an emergency baptism, in which case the Godparents can be named later).
Yes, Godparents absolutely must be Catholic (the only exception is that parents can name one Catholic Godparent and one Orthodox Godparent).
Yes, grandparents can be Godparents as well (as long as the grandparents are Catholic)
That answers the questions directly, but a little more explanation is in order.
The role of Godparents is to assist the parents in raising the child in the faith, their role is also to “sponsor” the person being baptised (which is why the word “sponsor” is a synonym for Godparent), meaning that the Godparent “vouches” for the baptised, that this person will indeed grow in the faith.
That’s why Godparents must be Catholic–because their role is to pass on the faith, they must first have that faith before they can give it to someone else. It’s simply not possible for non-Catholics to be Godparents.
Godparents don’t necessarily have to be family either. I hope that you are able to find someone in your parish who can fulfill the role of Godparent(s) to your children–they are probably out there, but you might need to expand your search a little. Another option is that Godparents can sponsor more than one baptised person at a time.
Have you considered your own sponsor from RCIA as a Godparent for your children?
I wish you the best in your search.
