What Is A Godparent

A godparent is a person who gives a ‘Christ centric witness’ to an individual’s journey in faith. This witness involves supporting the catechumen through their catechesis, during their reception of the sacraments and their continued faith development.

What is meant by “Christ-centric?” The person must be following a Christian-lifestyle. That is to say they yield to and follow the commands and teachings given by Jesus Christ as taught by the Catholic Church. This includes all things regarding Faith and Morals. The witnessing aspect involves not only testifying to their Baptism but more importantly giving personal, active and ongoing testimony about the faith through word and action.

The role of godparent is one of those not-so-well-understood practices and sometimes completely mis-understood. The role of godparent is one of honor and responsibility that is undertaken on behalf of the children or adult catechumens of family and friends. Most people may be willing, but many do not always know what becoming a godparent entails.

Becoming a godparent is too often relegated to simply being a person or persons who only stand as onlookers to a Christian event in a person’s life or that a godparent is viewed as a ceremonial honor. As if the role of being a godparent is relegated to a “Prop” or simply and honored title.

The real purpose is to give witness by a living an exemplary life of Christian virtue through exmples, and active participation in the faith formation and development of the newly (or soon to be) baptized or confirmed. This extends well into their maturing journey in faith with God of the baptized individual.

There is a difference between simply testifying to something and giving witness. In the case of a godparent, one does not simply act as a support for a singular event to testify by saying, “I was there on such and such date when a person was baptized.” Instead, a godparent stands as a beacon and their lives lived by virtue and asistance to the godchild in their further faith devolpment gives testimony. It is in the manner on how they live their own life according to God’s decrees which have been given by divine revelation and taught by the church which demonstrates a real godparent.

Such testimony is not limited to an application of only teaching. It includes supporting the faith formation and development of their godchild. This is especially called upon when the parents for any reason cannot support, will not support or find it difficult to see that the child continues their sacramental walk and journey in faith. This includs assiting the parents during the childes periods of faith formation. They step into help.

The godparent represents the Church, the community of faith, into which the child is being baptized, and will assist the child to grow in that community. This is why it is important that only a Catholic godparent can take on this responsibility at a Catholic baptism. 

The principal responsibility of a godparent is to give witness to the Catholic faith by his/her words and actions. The role of the godparent, together with the parents, initially involves presenting the child for baptism. The responsibility includes helping their godchild to live a Christian life befitting the baptized and faithfully fulfilling the duties inherent in baptism.

 The Godparent of a child assists in their preparation for future sacraments. Which include the child’s first Holy Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation.  It also includes their adult formation, preparation, and direction in the sacraments of Matrimony or Holy Orders.

 When necessary it may include a Sacrament for the anointing of the sick. This can even include their funeral. Although it is not a sacrament, it is a work of mercy in the eyes of the church.

 Therefore in order to do all of this, the Godparent must be a well-adjusted and practicing catholic. By well-adjusted I mean it should be someone who lives their faith and is also growing both in knowledge, spirituality, and truth within their faith. Of all the things most important about being a godparent, it is the promise to raise the godchild as Catholic in the absence of the parents or lack of or waning parental guidance.

The skewed idea of Godparent for some parents is a way to garner favors or extend family and social ties. This is an abuse of the function of godparents. I’ve seen this again and again. One family member thinks they owe another a favor. Or the parent may think they can get in good with the boss by making them a godparent.

Sometimes there is some benevolent factor. This is not entirely wrong in that the parents may over focus on the child’s corporal wellbeing in case something would happen to the parents.  Well one may think to a certain point that may be okay. It i important to remember the primary and over-arching purpose of the godparent is the child’s spiritual well-being.

 The godparent represents the Church, the community of faith, into which the child is being baptized, and will assist the child to grow in that community. This why it is important that in a Catholic baptism, only a Catholic as a godparent can take on this responsibility.

The principal responsibility of a godparent is to give witness to the Catholic faith by his/her words and actions. The role of godparent, together with the parents, begins with presenting the child for baptism. The responsibility continues by helping their godchild to live a Christian life befitting the baptized and faithfully to fulfill the duties inherent in baptism.

The godparent of a child assists in their preparation for future sacraments. Which include the child’s first Holy Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation.  It also includes their adult formation and preparation and direction in the sacraments of Matrimony or Holy Orders.

When necessary, it may include the Sacrament for the anointing of the sick. This can even include their funeral. Although it is not a sacrament but it is a work of mercy in the eyes of the church.

Therefore, in order to do all of this, the Godparent must be a well-adjusted and a practicing Catholic. By well-adjusted I mean it should be someone who lives their faith and is also growing both in knowledge of the faith, yielding to the truth of the faith and spiritually following their faith. Of all the things most important about being a godparent, it is the promise to raise the godchild as Catholic in the absence of the parents or lack of or waning parental guidance.

The skewed or misdirected idea of godparent for some parents, is a way to garner favors of extend family and social ties. This is an abuse of the function of godparents. I’ve seen this again and again. One family member thinks they owe another a favor. Or the parent may think they can get in good with the boss by making them a godparent.

Sometimes there is some benevolent factor. This is not entirely wrong in that the parents may over focus on the child’s corporal wellbeing in case something would happen to the parents.  Well one may think to a certain point that may be okay. It remains the primary purpose of the godparent to look after child’s spiritual wellbeing and upbringing in the Faith.

During Baptism Both the Parents and the God parents “Promise” before God and community that they will raise the child (or children) in the Catholic Faith. The Godparents further attest to and promise that if for some reason the parents neglect or cannot fulfill their responsibility then the god parent will then be responsible for the child’s faith formation. Furthermore, the godparent promises to assist the parents. An example of assistance would be the occasion where the parents cannot take the child to Holy Mass or Catechism instruction. Then the godparent should jump in to take the child. 

How old must one be to be a Catholic godparent?

A godparent should be a confirmed, Catholic Christian who is at least 16 years of age, and who faithfully practices and believes in the Catholic faith as a participating member of a parish community.

How many godparents should there be?

One is sufficient. In the case where there is to be two, it should be a male and a female. Canon law provides that one godparent is sufficient but that there may be two, so long as there is one of each sex (can. 873, Code of Canon Law). There is no provision for more than two godparents.

Often at a later date, as the godchild gets older, when they are preparing to receive confirmation, they may select a “third” God parent. This is not necessarily a problem. The Code of Cannon Law does not forbid this. However, sometimes people do get a bit carried away by having many godparents. I think often times this signals a lack of understanding by the parents as to what the role of the Godparent should be.

Can Non-Catholics be a Godparent?

A Baptized Non-Catholic Christians[1] may not be "official" godparents for the record book, but they may be a Christian witness for your child. People who are not baptized Christians cannot be sponsors for baptism, since they themselves are not baptized.

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[1] A Baptized Non-Catholic Christian: The must have a baptismal certificate of proof stating they were baptized in a non-Catholic Church who maintains the institution of Baptism and baptizes in the “trinitarian formula.” Which is “In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

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What are the non-religious duties of a godparent?

Secular actions by the godparents can find appreciation and also meaning for the importance of their role. The main non-religious duties involve being a positive and present support for their godchild. This includes other aspects of natural development. This affords opportunities for encouragement, and wisdom.

The more time they spend together the more influence the godparent can have. Even when the parents are well rounded on their faith. The Godparent can provide another avenue of witness to the faith. This allows the godchild’s developing world view or new faith view when an adult to consider more aspects of integrating faith in God into their daily lives.