Godparents who were Catholic and have since joined other denominations

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Hello to all - Just to make sure I’m understanding something correctly - If the Godparents we had chosen for our children were Catholic at the time of the baptism, and they have since left the church, we should, under church doctrine, get new Godparents, correct?? I’ve heard that we don’t have to, that their responsibility will hopefully “bring them back to the church” and I’ve been told I need to get new ones. Help?
 
the historical fact that these godparents witnessed the baptism and are listed in the baptismal register cannot be changed. You can however bring other good Catholic adults into your child’s life as mentors and role models, and you should do so, but there is no way to change the godparents.
 
I have to agree wholeheartedly with puzzleannie on this one. The only thing I can say…is pray without ceasing for your child’s godparents. I don’t know how old your child is but perhaps by recalling them into your child’s life as he/she reaches a pivotal sacramental age may be the guiding force that brings them back into the Catholic faith. Who knows. Prayers can move mountains.

And once again, invite good Catholic mentors into your child’s life and be one yourself. The best way to lead your child to our faith, is by example, beginning with regularly practicing your faith through liturgy, the sacraments, catechesis, and by works of social justice and mercy and lots and lots of prayer as a family.
 
They’ll ALWAYS be the godparents, but…to help your child out, you can appoint new unofficial godparents. I did that when my DD1’s godmother met a Vineyard-Evangelical boyfriend and joined his church…I’ve terminated all contact too, as unfortunately she became very hostile towards the Catholic church and now blames it for ‘ruining her childhood’ :rolleyes: …

Anna x
 
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anna1978:
They’ll ALWAYS be the godparents, but…to help your child out, you can appoint new unofficial godparents. I did that when my DD1’s godmother met a Vineyard-Evangelical boyfriend and joined his church…I’ve terminated all contact too, as unfortunately she became very hostile towards the Catholic church and now blames it for ‘ruining her childhood’ :rolleyes: …

Anna x
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My older daughter’s Godmother found her lesbian side two years after the Baptism.

She is in Cleveland and that Diocese helps to rationalize it for her.

Ug.
 
Sometimes, because of distance, godparents have no part in a child’s life. Appoint someone else who will be responsible for you child if something happens to you, someone who will raise the child in the manner you have chosen.
 
You can have “substitute(s) for the Sponsor(s)”, whose name(s) can be inscribed DIRECTLY into the Baptismal Register.

This has been told to me directly by a Priest who is a Canonist(which is a more correct term that Canon Lawyer).

This is wonderful news for people who have had unacceptable Godparents.

I guess that people who have had only one Godparent, could also use this to add another Godparent(even if the first one is “okay”).
 
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holzy:
Hello to all - Just to make sure I’m understanding something correctly - If the Godparents we had chosen for our children were Catholic at the time of the baptism, and they have since left the church, we should, under church doctrine, get new Godparents, correct?? I’ve heard that we don’t have to, that their responsibility will hopefully “bring them back to the church” and I’ve been told I need to get new ones. Help?
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There is no such “doctrine” requiring new Godparents. However you should start thinking about who might be your childs Confirmation Sponsor since canon law suggests that it be one of the Godparents from Baptism.
 
Thanks for all your help - really appreciated it. Tried to find this subject in the past forums, but must have missed it, so thanks for the reference to the previously posted replys - have a great day !!
 
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