Godparents:
A person may have one or two
godparents (sponsors); if two are chosen, they must be a male and female.
These are their requirements: 1) at least 16 years of age; 2) Confirmed
and practicing the Catholic Faith 3) living in harmony with the Faith
and can be a good role model for the one being Baptized. Furthermore,
parents cannot be their own child’s godparents; also, you may choose a
non-Catholic (but Baptized Christian) as a sponsor, as long as you have
a Catholic sponsor who fits the above requirements as well. Godparents must
attend the baptism preparation class.
Marital Status:
You will be asked your marital
status when you schedule the Baptism of your child, or when you are
seeking Baptism for yourself. We will not deny Baptism of a child if
the parents are unmarried or not married in the Catholic Church.
However, there may be reason to postpone Baptism if parents are not
practicing the Faith, or have no intention of living a Catholic life.
Danger of Death:
If your child is in danger of dying,
or has been admitted to the hospital, please call the church office for
emergency Baptism. No preparation is needed until after the child’s
life has been saved. Although not encouraged, in danger of death and
when a deacon or priest is not available quickly enough, a parent may
baptize a child. Using water, pour it on the child's head and say, “I
baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen.”
There
may be ONE or TWO sponsors. When there are TWO sponsors, one is male
(godfather) and the other female (godmother).
1. One sponsor must be Catholic
2. Requirements for the Catholic
a)
At least
sixteen years old and
b) Baptized and
confirmed and received the Eucharist
c) Living an
upright life
d) No penalties
(e.g., left the Church, etc.). Therefore, a Catholic who has left the Catholic
Church cannot be a sponsor, and cannot be a “Christian witness” if they join another Christian communion.
e) Cannot be
either parent and must attend the baptism preparation class.
Age
– Exception
a) The pastor or
the minister of baptism may admit a Catholic who is younger
than sixteen.
b)
In this case,
the Catholic who is younger than 16 must meet requirements
above (i.e., full initiation, etc.).
“Christian
Witness”
baptized non-Catholic with Catholic sponsor
1. The other may be a baptized Christian of a different denomination.
This person is a “Christian witness” (and not a “sponsor”).
2. The other witness with a Catholic sponsor may never be non-baptized.
For example, Jewish or Muslim are not permitted by universal church law to be a
godparent/witness.
3. Requirements for
the Christian Witness:
a) at least
sixteen years old
b) a valid
baptized Christian
c) living an
upright life
d) cannot be
either parent
e) cannot be a
Catholic who has left the Church.
f) Is a member of
a Christian community
4. The notation “Christian witness” is placed under the name of the non-Catholic
Christian witness in the baptismal register.
From the 1983 Code of
Canon Law Canon 874, 1:
To
be admitted to the role of sponsors, a person must:
1. Be
designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the one who takes their
place or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister and is to have the
qualifications and intention of performing this role.
2. Have completed
their sixteenth year, unless a different age has been established by the
diocesan bishop or it seems to the pastor or minister that an exception is to be
made for a just cause;
3. Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the
sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith
and the role to be undertaken;
4. Not be bound by
a canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared.
5. Not be the
father or the mother of the one to be baptized.
