Im a Godparent but Parents Left the Church

[TJWeger]

I am a Godparent to a boy baptized many years ago. Shortly after the baptism, the parents left the Church. Though every once in a while over the years, I think of the boy and say a prayer, I was under the impression that my role as Godparent was more or less in hibernation until the parents or boy comes back to the Church. I have recently wondered if there is more that I should be doing. I no longer have much to do with the parents other than trading Christmas cards each year. What is my role and responsibility at this point?

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I think it largely depends on how you are related to the family.

 

[Reuben_J]

As you are still the Godparent, you can still keep the contact. The relationship does not end even if he leaves the faith. Know what he is doing, and he knows what you are doing. Today, with all the multi-media, that’s made easy.

To top that, maybe once a while, get to meet him over coffee or spend time together, if that is possible.

God bless.

 

[AndrewAxland]

I no longer have much to do with the parents other than trading Christmas cards each year. What is my role and responsibility at this point?

Basically praying for the child. If the parents wanted you to do more, they would have let you know, and the fact that your relationship consists merely of swapping greeting cards indicates that they do not expect much else from you.

Your responsibility at this point is to stay firmly on your side of the fence unless the parents specify otherwise. Doing an end run around them to get to the child is definitely not cool.

So pray, and continue to send greeting cards to the family, if you desire. You can hope that they will one day re-establish a close relationship with you and ask you to do more for the child, but face it, that doesn’t happen very often.

There comes a time when you just have to trust in God and leave it in His hands.