Priest as baptizer AND godfather?

[xathar]

Can the same priest both baptize my baby and be godfather for it? Is there a definitive source from where I can get an answer?

 

[cameron_lansing]

Can the same priest both baptize my baby and be godfather for it? Is there a definitive source from where I can get an answer?

I don’t think you’ll find a definitive source as in the sense of some declaration of the Holy See on the particular question. However, this topic, although rarely posed, is not a new one, and has been discussed among canonists. I’ll presume this is a matter of the Latin Church rather than an Eastern Catholic Church, and perhaps someone with expertise in one of the Eastern Churches would address that, if needed.

The canons on baptism and the rite of baptism presume a distinction between the minister who confers the sacrament and those who serve as sponsors. The former is treated in canons 861-863 and latter at canons 872 - 875.

In the case of baptism, sponsors assume the duty to will help the baptized to lead a Christian life in harmony with baptism, and to fulfill faithfully the obligations connected with it . At the liturgy of the baptism of a child, they also present the child for baptism (c. 872), promise to assist the parents in their duties, may be asked to sign the infant with the sign of the cross, renew the profession of faith and rejection of sin, receive the lighted candle and the white garment . Thus they have a particular liturgical role as well as that ongoing role. The minister poses the questions, administers the rites, preaches, and leads prayer as the rites indicate.

Having the priest serve in two liturgical roles at the baptism, one as minister and one as sponsor, appears quite contrary to fundamental principles of liturgy and the intentions of the canons. (The same would be true of a deacon who is the father of a child to be baptized. His office of parent, a true spiritual task in the Church and one which has its own role at the liturgy, is not the same as that as minister of the sacrament, and the roles should not blended. )

Further, if the priest is a member of a religious institute, its particular law may regulate or prohibit this. However, the clerical state for either a secular or religious priest sets other obligations that must take priority and may prevent him from serving properly in the ongoing role.

The matter however could be referred to the diocesan bishop and his judgement followed.

 

[rosebudsal]

Can the same priest both baptize my baby and be godfather for it? Is there a definitive source from where I can get an answer?

Our Archdiocese allows for a priest to be a Godfather but suggests that the priest not perform the baptism. It’s published the guidelines on it’s web page. You might want to check with your diocese or your parish priest.

 

[Like]

I would tend to agree with Dnc.John. But it would be wise to speak with your pastor and/or check with the diocese.

This does bring another question to mind. I’d be interested in knowing the percentage of God parents that have taken their role serious & have stepped into that role of seeing to their God Child being raised in the faith when they do know the child is not being raised in the faith.

I mean I’m from a very large family, grandma had 15 children and those 15 all having huge families.1956 grandma was decleared National Grandmother with the most grandchildren in the US (don’t remember the number now).

Anyway, even though most of the family were good Catholics, I don’t know of a single Godparent stepping in to the role of their promise to do so. For that matter, I don’t know of any outside the family.

 

[Phemie]

My dad was godfather to over 30 kids and I doubt that he knew what most of them were doing after they left the church that Sunday afternoon.

My godmother was 12, she would have been considered a brat if she’d dared comment on how my folks were raising me (not that they weren’t doing their duty as Catholic parents).

I was 16 when she asked me to be her daughter’s godmother. While I would have liked to take my role seriously, we lived far apart and I didn’t really know my goddaughter until she was an adult and we lived in the same town for 3 years.

I’m now godmother to an 8 year old and I can’t play the role I wanted there either. The parents are separated and the dad, who doesn’t have custody, is the Catholic. Mom is agnostic and I doubt that she’d take kindly to my interfering with how she’s raising her kids – without much help from the ‘Catholic’ dad who is now shacked up with another woman but comes to Mass and receives communion.

 

[Like]

My dad was godfather to over 30 kids and I doubt that he knew what most of them were doing after they left the church that Sunday afternoon.

My godmother was 12, she would have been considered a brat if she’d dared comment on how my folks were raising me (not that they weren’t doing their duty as Catholic parents).

I was 16 when she asked me to be her daughter’s godmother. While I would have liked to take my role seriously, we lived far apart and I didn’t really know my goddaughter until she was an adult and we lived in the same town for 3 years.

I’m now godmother to an 8 year old and I can’t play the role I wanted there either. The parents are separated and the dad, who doesn’t have custody, is the Catholic. Mom is agnostic and I doubt that she’d take kindly to my interfering with how she’s raising her kids – without much help from the ‘Catholic’ dad who is now shacked up with another woman but comes to Mass and receives communion.

I’m sorry, xathar, I shouldn’t had taken over you thread!
And Phemie, that is exactly what I was ranting about. I mean, my folks were good Catholic & so were the majority of mom’s sisters and brothers, but there sure were some who never went to church after they became Godparents.
It’s too bad there is no help from the Church in this matter, all through I don’t know what more the Church could do,

Anyone?