Selecting Godparents

[paul_rost]

My wife and I want to choose two men to be Godfathers with no Godmother selcted. We are each close with our respective bothers. Our Catholic parish is telling us no way. We have heard of cases that have permited two of the same gender but our parish denies any knowledge of it. Does anyone have any guidance to offer? Thank you.

 

[puzzleannie]

the selection of Godparents is governed by canon law and the particular law of your diocese. Only one is required but if there are two one must be male and the other female. If either is married they must be married in the Church. the complete requirements will be given to you at the time you sign up for the pre-baptismal classes. Simply ask the all the people you wish to be present, and list the name of one of these gentlemen (assuming he is otherwise qualified) as the Godfather. This person should attend the preparation classes, be willing to assume the role and understand it and be qualified to serve. The other gentlemen, as well as other family members can certainly help you in raising your child in the faith.

 

[Catholic90]

My first born has 3 Godparents, 2 female and 1 male. I believe only 2 “officially” signed the form at church (I honestly don’t remember and who signed what isn’t really important at this point), but we consider all 3 to be his Godparents. All 3 have been absolutely wonderful in helping propogate the faith with all of our children.

For our second son’s Godparents, we had a falling out with that couple about a year after the baptism. (long story, but justified). Rather than leave our middle child with no Godparents involved in his life, we “adopted” a second couple that had been very active in the church to be his Godparents. Now, they never officially signed anything either, but have assumed the role of “Godparents” with great gusto. They have been very active and involved for over 12 years now.

Maybe have just 1 “officially” sign the paper, but unofficially have both as Godfathers.

In our parish, only the parents must attend the baptism classes, not the Godparents.

 

[Shiann]

paul rost:

My wife and I want to choose two men to be Godfathers with no Godmother selcted. We are each close with our respective bothers. Our Catholic parish is telling us no way. We have heard of cases that have permited two of the same gender but our parish denies any knowledge of it. Does anyone have any guidance to offer? Thank you.

Part I, Section IV

Can. 873 One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex.

Can. 874 ß1 To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

1ƒ be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or the minister; to be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;

2ƒ be not less than sixteen years of age, unless a different age has been stipulated by the diocesan Bishop, or unless the parish priest or the minister considers that there is a just reason for an exception to be made;

3ƒ be a catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken;

4ƒ not labor under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared;

5ƒ not be either the father or the mother of the person to be baptized.

ß2 A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community may be admitted only in company with a catholic sponsor, and then simply as a witness to the baptism.

---

This is Catholic Canon.

Consider choosing one Godfather for this baby, and the other for your second. Or choose neither if it will create much discourse. A loving couple within your parish make great Godparents. The Baptism Sponsor need not be family relation.

 

[kaymart]

Catholic90:

My first born has 3 Godparents, 2 female and 1 male. I believe only 2 “officially” signed the form at church (I honestly don’t remember and who signed what isn’t really important at this point), but we consider all 3 to be his Godparents. All 3 have been absolutely wonderful in helping propogate the faith with all of our children.

For our second son’s Godparents, we had a falling out with that couple about a year after the baptism. (long story, but justified). Rather than leave our middle child with no Godparents involved in his life, we “adopted” a second couple that had been very active in the church to be his Godparents. Now, they never officially signed anything either, but have assumed the role of “Godparents” with great gusto. They have been very active and involved for over 12 years now.
This happened to me, falling out with Godparents (one-time friends of my husband)-my sister and husband have been “Special Godparents” and my brother in law became his Sponsor for Confirmation.
Maybe have just 1 “officially” sign the paper, but unofficially have both as Godfathers.

In our parish, only the parents must attend the baptism classes, not the Godparents.

 

[On_my_way]

paul rost:

My wife and I want to choose two men to be Godfathers with no Godmother selcted. We are each close with our respective bothers. Our Catholic parish is telling us no way. We have heard of cases that have permited two of the same gender but our parish denies any knowledge of it. Does anyone have any guidance to offer? Thank you.

One maybe the primary Godfather and the other a secondary, but i’m pretty sure that your parish will ask for a Godmother. There must be someone you guys know in your parish that would be a good Godmother.

 

[coyote]

I chose my youngest brother who has since converted to Mormonism.

 

[mumto5]

Could you have one for godfather and have the other be a Christian Witness? Both will be noted on the baptismal certificate. Assuming you have another child, you could swap it around next time with the one who is the witness this time being the godfather next time and the other being the witness. Just an idea.

Particularly if your baby is a girl, it would be nice to have a godmother as well.

My fourth child has two sets of godparents though one couple is noted as Christian Witnesses rather than godparents. In all five cases, I’ve picked a couple out as the godparents.