Godparents and Baptism

[dizzy_dave]

While listening to EWTN radio last week I heard that at A Catholic Baptism, the God Parents MUST be Catholics. We have 4 Children
3 of the 4 Baptisms 1 Godparent was a non practicing Catholic and the other was a non practicing Baptist, how does this effect our childrens Baptism, the Priest was aware of all this and said nothing about it. Also I was Baptized in 1972 and my Godmother was a Non-Catholic and my God Father was a Catholic but no longer is, what about my Baptism? Also my wife is a convert from the Baptist religion and had no Godparents, yet the church sees her Baptism as valid. So why must the Godparents both be PRACTICING Catholics?

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

We have 4 Children 3 of the 4 Baptisms 1 Godparent was a non practicing Catholic and the other was a non practicing Baptist, how does this effect our childrens Baptism, the Priest was aware of all this and said nothing about it.

Then the other was not a Godparent but a “Christian Witness”

The only requirement (except in an emergency where no Godparents are required) is to have one Godparent and they must be Catholic. One other Godparent of the opposite gender and also a practicing Catholic can also be added if desired. A practicing Baptized Christian of the opposite gender can Witness the Baptism along with the Catholic Godparent. But in order to be a Godparent at a Catholic Baptism you must be a practicing Catholic, at least 16 years old and Confirmed.

Also I was Baptized in 1972 and my Godmother was a Non-Catholic and my God Father was a Catholic but no longer is, what about my Baptism?

The person you call your Godmother if not Catholic is not you Godmother. Sadly to say someone made a poor choice in your Godfather. You Baptism is still your Baptism and is valid.

Also my wife is a convert from the Baptist religion and had no Godparents, yet the church sees her Baptism as valid. So why must the Godparents both be PRACTICING Catholics?

Godparents are not required for the Baptism to be valid.

 

[dizzy_dave]

I’m confused so is there any purpose to have a Godparent other than to help intruct the child in the Catholic Faith? Which would be the Catholic parents job anyway, right, considering they are catholic.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

The Godparents responsibility is primarily to assist the parents in raising the child in the Catholic faith. They do this by their example in practicing the Catholic faith and their relationship to the child. Which is why the choice of Godparents is really important. It is a life long relationship. The first qualifer is “Solid Catholic” not are they a family member or who is next in line for the “honor”?

 

[Aggie_98]

I, as a Catholic, was asked to be a Godparent for a friend’s baby. The baptism is to be done in the Lutheran Church. While I know that all Christian Baptisms done in the name of the Trinity are valid, is it appropriate for me to participate in this capacity? I am not sure of the language in the Lutheran Rite of Baptism, so I’m not sure if it says that I am responsible for bringing them up in the Lutheran Church.

Any thoughts?

PS - My friend wants to convert to Catholicism, but doesn’t feel comfortable yet baptizing her baby in the Catholic Church until she goes through RCIA and becomes Catholic.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

The Church prohibits a Catholic from acting in the capacity of Godparent in another Christian Baptism. The same as it prohibits a non-Catholic from acting in the capacity of Godparent at a Catholic Baptism.

 

[staceymarie61]

My son was baptized in 2002 and only one of his Godparents is catholic. The church and priest knew this, both godparents had to have a letter from their priest or pastor stating they were a practicing or in the case of his godfather that he was a practicing Christian.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Only one of the “Godparents” was required to be Catholic. I would venture to guess that there is only one name entered under Godparent in the Baptismal register of the parish. The second name if even listed is listed under the column “Christian Witness”