Need help choosing Godmother

[CSUNGerrie]

Hi Everyone,
I am in a bit of a bind. Next week is my daughters babtism and I still havent chosen a godmother. I have one obvious candidate in mind.

She is devout, goes to church every week, studies the bible, would be an excellent spiritual resource for my daughter and would be willing to have bible study with her when she get’s a little older. She is one of my most trusted friends.

The only problem is that she is not a practising Catholic. She grew up Catholic but many years ago, a friend of her helped her to find Jesus in a protestant Church. The good news is that I feel very strongly that she is going to return. She already bought a Catechism and in the last 3 months, came to the realization that the Eucharist is the real presence of Christ. She just hasnt made the move yet. She still has a couple of issues with the RCC but are minor things. I strongly feel that she will be Catholic within a year but she still does not attend Mass nor has she made a definitive statement that she will return yet.

I really want her to be my daughters God mother but I know that she should be a Catholic in good standing with the Church. I really dont have any other potential candidates. I have an aunt who has been very supportive emotionally during my wifes pregnancy and delivery. She is a good women but I worry that her faith is not as strong as it could be. She doesnt study the bible or follow all of the Churches teachings.

Outside of that, I have other Catholic friends but I feel that they probably would not stay in contact with my daughter when I move from my current area in 2 years.

Any advice?

 

[1ke]

The only problem is that she is not a practising Catholic

Then she cannot be a godparent.

I really want her to be my daughters God mother but I know that she should be a Catholic in good standing with the Church.

Not should. Must. A Godparent must meet the criteria set forth by the Church. This person does not.

Any advice?

You must choose someone who meets canonical requirements. Talk to your priest.

 

[wonderingmom]

My son was recently Confirmed and during practice, we were told that the role of sponsor in Confirmation (much like that of Godparents at Baptism) is to help make sure that person gets to Heaven. I thought this was a great, yet simple definition of what an important role these people play in our children’s lives.

In addition, you must also choose someone who will meet the requirements set forth by the Catholic church - meaning that the person must be in good standing with the Church.

I pray that your friend will continue on the path to return to the Catholic Church and that she will always be a positive influence in your daughter’s life.

 

[flower_lady]

Hi, you could run an ad in your church bulletin and ask if there would be a couple willing to be your child’s Godparents, sometimes there are older couples in our churches, that are lonely and would be honored to do this for you. Example: A lot of older people’s children live out of town and they might just need your company too. I will pray that you find someone. God bless you! Brenda

 

[JamestheOlder]

Canon Law #874:

3/ (must) 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;

Ask your Pastor to recommend a couple, as suggested above.

I’m surprised you got this close with no named god-parent; in our Parish, the god-parent(s) must attend Baptism classes with the parents…partly in order to understand yours and their responsibilities.

 

[Corki]

Assuming you already have a godfather picked out and that he is a practicing Catholic, this friend could participate as a Christian witness.

 

[CSUNGerrie]

Hi Everyone,
Well I talked to my parish priest about babtism 2 months ago but he didnt mention anything about babtism classes. My wife and I are both devout and actively involved in the parish so I think he figured we know the responsibilities.

I was actually positive I was going to choose her as a godmother since she has practically returned to the faith. I mean, at this point, she believes faith + works, we can loose our salvation, the Church needs a Pope, the pope is infallible, the Eucharist is the real presence. She doesnt understand marian dogmas yet but she is not against them. Anyway, I was positive I would ask her to be my daughters Godmother but it just came into my heart this morning that she should be attending Mass. Maybe she can be my daughters first communion sponsor.

I even played with the idea that perhaps her godparent responsibilities would give her that last push into the Catholic church but I know we should not use the sacraments in such a manner.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

 

[The_Professor]

She could serve as a Christian witness if you have a practicing Catholic in good standing as the official sponsor.

Here’s the relevant part of Canon Law:
Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.

Can. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.

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;

2/ 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;

3/ 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;

4/ not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;

5/ 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.

 

[1ke]

She could serve as a Christian witness if you have a practicing Catholic in good standing as the official sponsor.

Actually, she cannot. She is a Catholic, one not in good standing. The canons in canon law allow only for a non-Catholic to stand as a Christian witness to the baptism together with a Catholic who acts as the godparent.

 

[The_Professor]

Good point. I hadn’t considered that she was initiated as a Catholic.

 

[CSUNGerrie]

Hi Everyone,
I actually found another friend I had totally missed. She is a close and very devout friend. She has actually been considering the religious life. I think she will make an excellent Godmother.
Thank you all

 

[1ke]

Hi Everyone,
I actually found another friend I had totally missed. She is a close and very devout friend. She has actually been considering the religious life. I think she will make an excellent Godmother.
Thank you all

Wonderful. And congratulations on the baptism.