Godparent ?

[irom]

What are requirements to be Godparent ? Does person who is not yet confirmed ( i.e. 14 years old) can become Godparent ?

 

[tinalewis]

I’m sure there are written requirements which others will post, but just to let you know I became a godmother to my Catholic best friend’s daughter long before I even became Catholic. Age wasn’t an issue as I was in my 30’s and an established adult. My best friend’s uncle was a priest and he did the Baptism with me as the godmother. I’d known this family all my life.

So, the rules can be altered depending on the circumstances. Better a young and involved godparent than an uninvolved or absent older one.

Congratulations to your little one and his/her godparent-to-be!

 

[aspirant]

The Role of Godparents in the Catholic Church

 

[Phemie]

To be a godparent one must be Catholic, 16, confirmed and living a life consistent with the teachings of the Church.

A baptized non-Catholic may be a ‘Christian witness’ with a Catholic godparent, but they are not considered a godparent by the Church. Most families don’t see a difference but the Church is quite specific.

 

[Big_Ro]

I also think it’s up to the priest to decide how strictly he wants to enforce the rules. I’ve been a member of at least three parishes and seen it done both ways. I personally think that the rules should be followed, but it’s the priests jurisdiction.

 

[Joannm]

I also think it’s up to the priest to decide how strictly he wants to enforce the rules. I’ve been a member of at least three parishes and seen it done both ways. I personally think that the rules should be followed, but it’s the priests jurisdiction.

Actually the priest is very limited as to deciding to “break the rules.” He can, for instance, for pastoral reasons, allow someone younger than 16 to be the Godparent if they have received Confirmation. Also I have heard of some priests allowing two Godmothers or Godfathers, but they have no right to do that. We have allowed two women to stand at the font, but only one name goes on the certificate and in the register.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Canon Law states:

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.

The only flexibility seems to be in Canon 874-2 re age. Note that having a sponsor is strongly recommended. Lack of a valid sponsor does not affect the validity of the sacrament.

 

[Phemie]

Canon Law states:
The only flexibility seems to be in Canon 874-2 re age. Note that having a sponsor is strongly recommended. Lack of a valid sponsor does not affect the validity of the sacrament.

True enough. Most emergency baptisms that I record don’t have sponsors, although I’ve noticed that in one parish they are often added later.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

True enough. Most emergency baptisms that I record don’t have sponsors, although I’ve noticed that in one parish they are often added later.

A couple of years back my niece’s son was baptized in a group setting. One of the babies had already been baptized in the hospital, for due cause. She had godparents and was included in all the ceremonies except the actual baptizing. I think this is the standard practice.