Godparent Requirements

[MegHuerta]

My husband and I are wanting to have our daughter baptized, however, out of one of the persons we are wanting to be godfather, is baptized, but has not finished the rest of his sacraments. Could he still be a godfather if he fits the role best to us?

 

[TheLittleLady]

Canon law: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P2Y.HTM

CHAPTER IV.

SPONSORS

Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.

Can. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.

Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:
1/ be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;
2/ have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;
3/ be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on;
4/ not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
5/ not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.

 

[phil19034]

My husband and I are wanting to have our daughter baptized, however, out of one of the persons we are wanting to be godfather, is baptized, but has not finished the rest of his sacraments. Could he still be a godfather if he fits the role best to us?

Question: what do you believe the role is? I ask because a lot of people have many non-Catholic views of what a God parent (officially called a “sponsor”) is.

Many people think the Godparent is the person who takes care of your kids if you die, or is like an honorary aunt/uncle

In reality, the Godparent’s job is help you raise your child in the Catholic faith by being an example of what a good Catholic is.

You don’t have to be friends or relatives with your child’s God parents when you choose them. There are many deacons, priests and other very devout Catholics who are God parents to many children, and even to people who they were not friends with. They were chosen because they are shining examples of what being a good Catholic is… even if they only see their Godparents at Church (aka the only interaction they have is via the parish).

An adult who has not been confirmed is OBJECTIVELY not a shining example of what living a good Catholic life is. Even if that person is a wonderful person, they are not a good example of a good Catholic.

NOTE: just as not every baptized and confirmed Catholic are good examples either. So it’s important to use canon law as the minimum and then find someone who is a great example for your child.

I pray this is helpful. God bless

 

[pianistclare]

PLEASE take Phil’s answer to heart.
This is what it is really about. It’s not an honorary thing, and it’s quite serious.
Also, you as parents should be prepared to honestly commit to the Baptismal promises you will make on behalf of your child. A meeting with your priest is in order.
Congratulations on the baby!

 

[dconklin]

I just found this video yesterday. Godparents

 

[dconklin]

parents should be prepared to honestly commit to the Baptismal promises you will make on behalf of your child

Sunday morning I will be leading a meeting of parents who have children preparing for 1st Holy Communion. We will start the discussion by reviewing the promises they made as parents at their child’s baptism.