Godparents - verifying that they are catholic

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chewchoo

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my cousin just asked my to be godmother to her baby due in october. her parish requires that all godparents have a “note” from their pastor that they are practicing catholics. is this the norm now?

i have 3 other godchildren and this verification is new to me.

how would a priest or parish verify that you are a practicing catholic?
 
Contact your Parish Office, the secretary will be able to assist you. When I’ve been a Godparent at another Parish, I’ve had to get a similar form from the Parish office, except fo one time I did not have to present any form (although I brought it along).

When I’ve been a Godparent at my home Parish, the document was not required as they know me.
 
if the godparent or confirmation sponsor is not a member of this parish, their own pastor may require that they obtain a letter giving them permission to serve as such outside their own parish.

we are not allowed to ask for a document verifying their baptism, marital status, or that they are practicing the faith and in good standing in their own parish. If a parishioner asks for such a letter to serve as a sponsor elsewhere, it will be provided if we can answer in the affirmative
 
chewchoo said:
my cousin just asked my to be godmother to her baby due in october. her parish requires that all godparents have a “note” from their pastor that they are practicing catholics. is this the norm now?

i have 3 other godchildren and this verification is new to me.

how would a priest or parish verify that you are a practicing catholic?
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First they would have to verify that you were Baptized and Confirmed as is required of ALL Godparents by your Sacramental records. Then your pastor would write a letter on parish letterhead certifying that and that you are a Cathiolic in good standing with the Church (no second Marriages or Marriages outside the Church) and that you are a participant in the life of the parish.]

This stems from the fact that we have many adult Catholics today that do not attend Mass or participate in their parish. Many Adult Catholics from the last 30-40 years have not been Confirmed. This is a requirement of Canon Law that a Godparent be a Confirmed Catholic. With divorce and re-Marriage so common there are also many adult Catholics who are in invalid Marriage situations which also disqualifies them from being Godparents.
 
puzzleannie said:
if the godparent or confirmation sponsor is not a member of this parish, their own pastor may require that they obtain a letter giving them permission to serve as such outside their own parish.

we are not allowed to ask for a document verifying their baptism, marital status, or that they are practicing the faith and in good standing in their own parish. If a parishioner asks for such a letter to serve as a sponsor elsewhere, it will be provided if we can answer in the affirmative
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You’re not ALLOWED to verify that they are baptized???

I was just browsing the website for the parish down the road, parish that until last September was our Cathedral parish, and found that they require a baptismal certificate from anyone who wishes to be a godparent (plus certificate of confirmation should this not have been entered in the baptismal record for some reason). They also inform the families that if they use a Christian witness along with a sponsor, that person’s name will not appear on the certificate of baptism.
 
no, I am not allowed to require proof of marriage in the Church or proof of baptism and confirmation for a godparent or confirmation sponsor, we are supposed to take the sponsor’s (not the parent’s) word for it. If they are unknown to us, and we have no way of verifying it, we can call their current pastor and ask for a letter. the rule about the name of the Christian witness (who may stand up in addition to the Catholic godparent) not appearing on the baptismal record should be universal. Most pastors still require that their own parishioners obtain a letter of permission before they serve as a sponsor or godparent for someone outside their own parish.

especially if you will be serving outside your immediate area, best come prepared with docs as suggested by Bro, and also find out if you are required to attend pre-baptismal classes along with the parents, or if you can take those classes in your own parish and bring proof. (that we can and must ask for. the priest, deacon or sister who teaches that class is supposed to grill the sponsors and make sure they qualify).
 
puzzleannie said:
no, I am not allowed to require proof of marriage in the Church or proof of baptism and confirmation for a godparent or confirmation sponsor, we are supposed to take the sponsor’s (not the parent’s) word for it. If they are unknown to us, and we have no way of verifying it, we can call their current pastor and ask for a letter.

Wouldn’t it just be simpler to ask for a baptismal certificate??? I find that in many cases the parents have no idea of the "godparents’ " religion. We have to question to make sure one IS Catholic.

the rule about the name of the Christian witness (who may stand up in addition to the Catholic godparent) not appearing on the baptismal record should be universal.

It’s supposed to be in the register, per Canon Law, but it would certainly make sense not to list someone as ‘Godparent’ on the certificate when we go to so much trouble trying to get the parents to understand that they are in fact NOT godparents.

Most pastors still require that their own parishioners obtain a letter of permission before they serve as a sponsor or godparent for someone outside their own parish.

I don’t really understand the logic for that, but hey, they’re the pastors. Ours couldn’t care less, he’s only too happy to have me write a letter of permission for kids to be baptized elsewhere.

especially if you will be serving outside your immediate area, best come prepared with docs as suggested by Bro, and also find out if you are required to attend pre-baptismal classes along with the parents, or if you can take those classes in your own parish and bring proof. (that we can and must ask for. the priest, deacon or sister who teaches that class is supposed to grill the sponsors and make sure they qualify).

We do insist that they bring a letter from their parish indicating that they have been prepared if they come to ours to have their child baptized, but we found out to our dismay that some parishes will provide a letter even if the preparation wasn’t done. Pay your $25 and here’s your letter – too bad we couldn’t find the key to get in to the building to actually do the preparation.
Click to expand...
 
chewchoo said:
my cousin just asked my to be godmother to her baby due in october. her parish requires that all godparents have a “note” from their pastor that they are practicing catholics. is this the norm now?

i have 3 other godchildren and this verification is new to me.

how would a priest or parish verify that you are a practicing catholic?
Click to expand...
Chewchoo -

God bless you for agreeing to sponsor these children as their godparent. I’m part of the baptism preparation team at our parish, and have encountered many who are confused by this, seeing it as a new requirement. It really isn’t a new requirement, but our bishops are getting better at following the law.

Here’s what the 1983 Code of Canon Law says about godparents/sponsors:

CHAPTER IV. SPONSORS
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;
    *]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;
    *]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;
    *]not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
    *]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.


  1. When Canon Law uses the word “must”, it implies some sort of check or verification.

    The actual form of the verification is probably left to each bishop, so the practice may vary between dioceses. This might be why some here have said “we are not allowed to ask…”. In my diocese, we have a standard form used to provide proof of attendance and sacramental life. Our bishop put it in place because of many abuses. We’re blessed to have a faithful bishop.

    Hope this helps!

    SanClemente
 
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