God Parents...

[KHI29]

In referance to God Parents, my wife and I are discussing who our baby’s should be. The question we have is that do they have to be in the state of grace? Our church requires one God Parent to be devout and practicing and the other to be of good moral standing. The problem we are running into is that we want her sister and husband to be God Parents, they are confirmed Catholics but are “luke-warm” Catholics. We were thinking of asking them to go to confession, but is that suitable? The only other opton will be to ask someone we don’t know inside our Parish.

V/R,
Steve

 

[DavidFilmer]

It is not necessary that either God Parent be in a State of Grace at the time of the Baptism.

If a person is not in a State of Grace, s/he cannot receive Sacramental Grace (except through Confession). That’s why we (hopefully) don’t go to Communion if not in a State of Grace. However, since the God Parents do not receive any Sacrament during the Baptism, nothing precludes them from this role regardless of their current state.

Of course, it would be nice (for their own sake). But I wouldn’t suggest that you somehow make it a “condition” of their participation. But it’s always good to promote frequent Confession to everyone (and to lead by example).

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

There are two ways to look at this.

One is that you want faithful practicing Catholics to be the Godparents so that you can rely on them to fulfill their duty of helping you raise your child in the faith.

Two is that by asking your sister-in-law and brother-in-law to be the Godparents it may give them the jumpstart they need to really get back into the faith.

You and your wife will need to discuss this and decide what is best for your family.

There are no guarantees. If you choose faithful Catholics they could fall away. If you choose lukewarm Catholics they may never become more faithful.

It really depends on what role you personally want the Godparents to fulfill. And whoever you choose should be made aware of exactly what you are asking of them. Give them the opportunity to agree or disagree.

Malia

 

[puzzleannie]

KHI29:

In The problem we are running into is that we want her sister and husband to be God Parents, they are confirmed Catholics but are “luke-warm” Catholics.

why do you want luke warm Catholics to be the persons entrusted to model the faith for your child, to rear him in the Catholic faith if you can’t, and to assist you in your role as devout Catholic parents?

 

[Mt19_26]

puzzleannie:

why do you want luke warm Catholics to be the persons entrusted to model the faith for your child, to rear him in the Catholic faith if you can’t, and to assist you in your role as devout Catholic parents?

With our first child we made the mistake of choosing God parents that were pretty much Catholics in name only. The choice was based more on friendship rather than faith and in hindsight it was a huge mistake. Make sure you pick strong faithful Catholics as God parents.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

KHI29:

In referance to God Parents, my wife and I are discussing who our baby’s should be. The question we have is that do they have to be in the state of grace? Our church requires one God Parent to be devout and practicing and the other to be of good moral standing. The problem we are running into is that we want her sister and husband to be God Parents, they are confirmed Catholics but are “luke-warm” Catholics. We were thinking of asking them to go to confession, but is that suitable? The only other opton will be to ask someone we don’t know inside our Parish.

V/R,
Steve

It is best to choose Godparents from family, friends or members of the parish who will be the BEST example of Catholics, beside yourselves for your child. If someone would not be the BEST example of being a Catholic then move on down the list.