I can't be a godparent and I'm about to break canon law -- what should I do?

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Look -you need to simply bring the matter to the Priest (and perhaps even the Chancery of the Diocese). I doubt it is something that can be dispensed. But I am not a canon lawyer or a Bishop!

Baptismal sponsors (Godparents) are to present such evidence that they are confirmed etc and living the Catholic Life. That is PART of the preparation.

So it will simply fall upon the Priest to now tell you “you cannot be”. Then it will be out of your hands…as it really is out of your hands.

This is a very very very serious role you have been asked to take on. You do not want to enter it in a way that is contrary to the very role your seeking to carry out. You are to be an example of Christian life to this little child. And it begins here by acting in truth. Even if it means you will not be able to be his formal Godparent. It will mean that you are ALREADY witnessing the to him how to live as a Christian - obedient.

(It it may be simply the case that if someone is not confirmed…they do not in fact even become the Godparent…so they then would be acting out further untruth as the child grows up…)

One does not have to be a Godparent to be an example and guide for this child.

You will DO MORE by being obedient and accepting that you cannot take on that role (unless it is something that can be dispensed by the Bishop) - by being truthful and manifesting to the Church the reality that you are not confirmed. Then live in joy and truth. And let the Priest tell those involved that you cannot be a sponsor due to not yet being confirmed. That is his job…and a normal thing that happens all the time. Tell him perhaps of the pastoral difficulties that may be involved.

On your side - simply be truthful and faithful and joyful and loving and peaceful and an example to all of Christian life.

And again…simply …personally bring the matter to the Priest.
 
The first thing to do is talk to the priest that is performing the baptism.
 
Triflefirt

As other posters have already said, the best thing to do is to have a quiet word with the priest who’s going to baptize the child. It’s up to him to accept or reject you. From cases I have observed in my own family, I’d say it’s extremely unlikely that he would raise an objection. In any case, the baptism is valid, whether or not the godparents are confirmed, or even if they’re not Catholics at all.
 
BartholomewB said:
Triflefirt

As other posters have already said, the best thing to do is to have a quiet word with the priest who’s going to baptize the child. It’s up to him to accept or reject you. .
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No it is not up to HIM - this is a requirement of Canon Law. Not something he can brush aside. He would need to take it to the Chancery (Bishops office) to see if there is a dispensation possible. Or simply say that I am sorry but the person must be confirmed.
 
The Child only needs ONE sponsor. So if there is another already involved…that is all that is needed. You can continue to be involved in the childs faith of course…and perhaps be called an honorary Godparent or something…

It is just a simple reality - “drat he is not confirmed yet”…we thought he was eligible. Oh well they baby has so and so and he will be an honorary Godparent…

One must understand that this is not just some unimportant requirement. The Sacrament of Confirmation is very important to have for a sponsor:

scborromeo.org/ccc/p2s2c1a2.htm#1311

It is part of the fullness of Christian initiation.
 
As stated before, talk to your pastor.

At my parish, in order to be able to be a baptismal and/or confirmation sponsor, the prospective sponsor is asked to fill out a form. On the form, it asks questions like, “Are you baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith? Are you respecting the Church’s laws respecting marriage (i.e., either a non-cohabitating single person or married in the eyes of the Church)? Do you go to confession at least once a year and receive communion at least once during Easter?” If a person answers, “No” to any one of these questions (and yes, I know that sacraments are supposed to be relayed to the parish of baptismal record, but sometimes they’re not), then he or she must schedule a meeting with the priest to remedy the situation. It’s possible that the priest might let you be a baptismal sponsor so long as you enter adult confirmation classes (in other words, show that you intend to rectify the situation). And it’s possible that he could tell you “No”. But that’s why you have to talk to your pastor.
 
Bookcat said:
No it is not up to HIM - this is a requirement of Canon Law. Not something he can brush aside. He would need to take it to the Chancery (Bishops office) to see if there is a dispensation possible. Or simply say that I am sorry but the person must be confirmed.
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Yes, it is up to him. The priest is empowered to make an exception if he wants to. It happens all the time. And, as I said, the baptism is valid.
 
BartholomewB said:
Yes, it is up to him. The priest is empowered to make an exception if he wants to.
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No he is not actually.

Only in those things in law that permit such “judgments”…

He cannot make up his own exceptions…

He is not the Lawgiver.

The Pope is.
 
Bookcat said:
No he is not actually.

Only in those things in law that permit such “judgments”…

He cannot make up his own exceptions…

He is not the Lawgiver.

The Pope is.
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As I said, it happens all the time. And the baptism is valid.
 
BartholomewB said:
As I said, it happens all the time. And the baptism is valid.
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There is no question as to the validity of the baptism.
And as I said - it is NOT up to him. Only things that the CHURCH says are “up to him” are actually “up to him”.

Just because something “might happen” does not mean that it could actually happen in authority or reality.
 
Triflelfirt said:
I’ve recently been chosen as godfather to a baby’s baptism. The baptism is all set, and the family cannot change the date now. However, I’m not confirmed, and it seems that Canon Law (unfortunately) requires that.

I am very serious about my faith, more so than anyone in my family, I believe. I want to be confirmed later on, and I want to help raise the child in the faith. But I’m not yet confirmed, and I don’t even know what I should do. If I tell my family about this situation, they will probably get a bit upset but just insist for me to go on with it. Now it’s all set.

Is it a mortal sin to break Canon Law? I’m really nervous and upset over all this. The “confirmed” requirement just looks like a very, very unnecessary stumbling block that is bringing me a lot of stress. I just want the child to be validly baptized and for the family to be happy. I’m even afraid that bringing this up right now will only weaken everybody’s faith in an even worse way.

We can’t change the baptism date, we can’t change anything, and too much work has been made already. It seems so absurd to have to change godparents now (IF that is even possible) because of this one detail, and I know fully well that there is no other godparent who would be as serious as me about bringing the child up in the Catholic faith. And my family will hate me and suffer a lot if I back out now. I am scared, desperate. I need answers, advice, and prayers (please). If everything happens to go just like that, with me as an “illicit” godfather, wha should I do afterwards?

This can be moved to the Sacraments forum if necessary.
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Hey if all you are doing is looking for approval online how about I make this easy and just tell you to go ahead and do it? It looks cool to me. Just confess afterwards. Oh, and if you are already planning your confession in advance, now might be the right time to do a couple other bad things you’ve been wanting to do so you can make a more rounded confession. 😛

Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I think if you know this is wrong you should just be honest with everyone and tell them your situation. Tell them you really want to be the god-parent, but you just don’t qualify. If they all convince you to do it anyway then when you confess it you can say you were coerced (hey, since we are planning stuff out in advance we might as well go over all the options). 😉
 
Trident_H said:
If they all convince you to do it anyway then when you confess it you can say you were coerced (hey, since we are planning stuff out in advance we might as well go over all the options). 😉
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I imagine that was tongue in cheek…but just for clarity for readers- not they would not “do it anyway” and then just confess it…
 
Bookcat said:
Look -you need to simply bring the matter to the Priest (and perhaps even the Chancery of the Diocese). I doubt it is something that can be dispensed. But I am not a canon lawyer or a Bishop!

Baptismal sponsors (Godparents) are to present such evidence that they are confirmed etc and living the Catholic Life. That is PART of the preparation.

So it will simply fall upon the Priest to now tell you “you cannot be”. Then it will be out of your hands…as it really is out of your hands.

This is a very very very serious role you have been asked to take on. You do not want to enter it in a way that is contrary to the very role your seeking to carry out. You are to be an example of Christian life to this little child. And it begins here by acting in truth. Even if it means you will not be able to be his formal Godparent. It will mean that you are ALREADY witnessing the to him how to live as a Christian - obedient.

(It it may be simply the case that if someone is not confirmed…they do not in fact even become the Godparent…so they then would be acting out further untruth as the child grows up…)

One does not have to be a Godparent to be an example and guide for this child.

You will DO MORE by being obedient and accepting that you cannot take on that role (unless it is something that can be dispensed by the Bishop) - by being truthful and manifesting to the Church the reality that you are not confirmed. Then live in joy and truth. And let the Priest tell those involved that you cannot be a sponsor due to not yet being confirmed. That is his job…and a normal thing that happens all the time. Tell him perhaps of the pastoral difficulties that may be involved.

On your side - simply be truthful and faithful and joyful and loving and peaceful and an example to all of Christian life.

And again…simply …personally bring the matter to the Priest.
Click to expand...
 
Bookcat said:
There is no question as to the validity of the baptism.
And as I said - it is NOT up to him. Only things that the CHURCH says are “up to him” are actually “up to him”.

Just because something “might happen” does not mean that it could actually happen in authority or reality.
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You seem to be talking about something that “might happen” or “could actually happen.”
I’m talking about something that does happen. Frequently. Commonly. All the time.
 
BartholomewB said:
You seem to be talking about something that “might happen” or “could actually happen.”
I’m talking about something that does happen. Frequently. Commonly. All the time.
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I am sorry to hear that.

Yes lots of errors and sins happen all the time.

They should not though. The fact that they do - does not make them right.

And in some cases something may “happen” in appearance but in truth it did not happen.

Not in reality. Not before God. A Priest might think he can “do this or that” but what it is he attempts to do - does not actually take place in reality. Does not come into existence -the Priest not having the authority to do such and such.
 
BartholomewB said:
You seem to be talking about something that “might happen” or “could actually happen.”
I’m talking about something that does happen. Frequently. Commonly. All the time.
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That doesn’t make it licit. A pastor does not have the authority to dispense the canon law requirements for Baptism sponsors. What you are describing is a situation where a pastor gives the “go ahead” for a Baptism knowing that the sponsors are illicit. No, it doesn’t affect the validity of the Baptism - a Baptism can be perfectly valid without any sponsors at all. But it is still illicit to have sponsors who are not adult, confirmed and practicing Catholics.
 
Is there someone who is ALSO going to be a Godparent? Are they in good standing?
Or are you the ONLY sponsor?
 
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