My Catholic child has 2 non-Catholic godparents!

[tmyhre33]

Our first born was baptized 16 years ago when we were negligent of our faith. We were not required to take baptism classes and we chose my brother and his wife to be godparents. They are both Lutheran. What are we supposed to do now that we understand that at least one of the sponsors must be Catholic? They are not even married anymore and neither acknowledges that they are his godparents, so choosing new godparents would not hurt anyone’s feelings, but is his baptism valid in the Church?

 

[BartholomewB]

but is his baptism valid in the Church?

Yes, definitely.

 

[Elf01]

tmyhre33:

but is his baptism valid in the Church?

Yes, definitely.

I’ll elabarote on that a bit.

A valid baptism only requires water (immersion or pouring) and the words I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

 

[1ke]

What are we supposed to do now that we understand that at least one of the sponsors must be Catholic?

There really isn’t anything to do. The sponsors are the witnesses of the baptism, and rightly or wrongly guidelines were not followed. So your child doesn’t actually have a sponsor. But that has no impact on the baptism’s validity.

Your child will be able to select a Catholic sponsor for their confirmation. You can find Catholics that can be spiritual mentors to your child, whether they hold the title “sponsor” or “godparent” or not.

so choosing new godparents would not hurt anyone’s feelings, but is his baptism valid in the Church?

Yes, the baptism isn’t contingent on sponsors, and sponsors aren’t an absolute requirement.

 

[tmyhre33]

Ok, but what is required of us from this point on? Find new godparents?

 

[1ke]

Ok, but what is required of us from this point on?

Nothing.

Find new godparents?

Your child can select a new sponsor for confirmation.

Up until confirmation, your child simply doesn’t have a sponsor. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t bring people into your life and your child’s life to be a spiritual role model.

 

[TomH1]

Yes, your child’s baptism was valid. For baptism to be valid you need (1) the minister* who baptised the child to have had the correct intent**, you should assume he did; (2) that valid matter was used, i.e. water; and, (3) the correct form was used, i.e. the words said, which must be ‘I baptise you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’. It is the priest’s mistake as he should have checked your child’s sponsors (correct name for godparents) were baptised and Catholics. It may be unfortunate that the sponsors were not qualified to be sponsors, but your child’s baptism was valid.

*Minister is the generic term for one who may administer a particular sacrament.
**The intent required at baptism is to make the one being baptised a member of the Christian Church.

I hope your mind will be put at rest.

 

[tmyhre33]

Thank you!