B. This is a very personal decision. ... Seminar – both godparents and parents should be attaining a seminar for some educational message and instruction during baptism. 867-868; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1251) Parents are responsible for bringing their child to the Sacrament of Baptism as soon after birth as possible. Only one godparent is required for baptism. The Baptismal Application must be completed. Yes, non-Catholic witnesses can serve as a Christian witness but it is not preferred. A Catholic godparent can establish a telephone relationship with the child, calling on birthdays, anniversaries of baptism … It’s truly beautiful to use the Baptismal candle as a reminder of the joy of welcoming the little one into the Catholic family rather than allowing it to collect dust in a … A Catholic may act as witness at a non-Catholic baptism, but not as a sponsor. In the case of an infant baptism, the role is together with the parents to present the child for baptism, and to help it live a Christian life befitting the baptized and faithfully to fulfill the duties inherent in baptism” (Canon 872). Review the requirements below to make sure your chosen godparents qualify. Requirements for Baptism. The number of godparents . They are formed into God's people and they obtain forgiveness of all their sins. 867-868; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1251) 3. Unfortunately, some priests still allow this to happen even through it is not correct and leads to babies having no Godparents. They become a new creation and are called, rightly, the children of God.” (Rite of Christian Initiation, General Introduction, n. 1) A godparent also needs to be at least sixteen, baptized, and confirmed. While it is preferred to have an adult man and woman to serve as godparents for Baptism, one must be a fully Initiated and actively practicing Catholic. The Catholic Church no longer recognizes official "proxies" at baptism. This page is designed to provide you with some basic information about the preparation process and requirements. Godparents can – should, even must – pray for a child daily. HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH WHARTON, TX CANONICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR BAPTISM SPONSORS (GODPARENTS) The Code of Canon Law (1983) of the Roman Catholic Church requires that: Canon 873: “There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.” Canon 874 §1: “To be permitted to take on the function of a sponsor a person must: Generally in RCIA each adult has their own Godparent, One additional Godparent can stand for the children or each child can have their own Godparent(s). 8. The minister of Baptism may decide that there is a just reason why a person who is not yet 16 may be godparent. Be Catholic. They should Intimately linked to Confirmation and to Eucharist, Baptism is, with these two sacraments, Christian Initiation. To register for the class at St. Jude, please complete the Godparent/Sponsor Class Registration Form. Not sure on the churchs view of a gay godparent? Mike imply that you are a practicing Catholic. The non-Catholic Christian may be a “Christian witness” to the baptism along with the Catholic godparent as long as they were baptized under the Catholic understanding of a triune God. Basic Guidelines and Information for Infant (to include young children) Baptism (Code of Canon Law, cc. They teach with their words and example. To be a godparent, the person must be a fully initiated Catholic, one who is baptized and has received the sacraments of Eucharist and confirmation. The only situation in which a Catholic may be a godparent (sponsor) in "another ecclesial Community" is in an Eastern Orthodox Church "if he/she is so invited" (Directory for the Application of the Principles and Norms of Ecumenism, 98, a, b). I wish this were spelled out more clearly, because of course we are all sinners. If the requirements for certificates are met, the certificates then should be presented to the baptism coordinator for the parish. 5. B. The Code of Canon Law states that the requirements for being a sponsor at confirmation is the same as those of being a Godparent at baptism. Catholic or Christian baptism?? A Catholic godparent can send your child books and tapes and videos that will help the child grow in faith. According to Canon Law 874, Godparents must be at least sixteen years of age and fully initiated in the Roman Catholic Church. I think you missed the part where the OP lives in a different place than where the baptism will take place and … The non-Catholic must be baptized and must be present with a Catholic godparent at the time of baptism (Pastoral companion for Canon Law 57). 867-868; Catechism of the Catholic Church 1251) The Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church has a whole chapter on godparents—"sponsors" is the technical term—but before we go there, let's talk about the Catholic theology of baptism. The requirements are clear until the last part [of canon 874.1 n. 3] about living in keeping with the faith. A godparent is encouraged to send a spiritual card to their godchild at Christmas, Easter, Birthday and Baptism “birthday”. The child is baptized in the faith of their parents, godparents and of the Church. The Godparent or Godparents must be at least 16 years old. (See documents below.) Basic Guidelines and Information for Infant (to include young children) Baptism (Code of Canon Law, cc. 1) at least 16 years old 2) practicing Catholic with good standing in the church 3) not of the same gender as the second godparent 4) have received the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist and confirmation. Is a Catholic allowed to be a godparent if he/she was married in another Christian church? Roman catholic and Muslim: 9yr old son wants baptism - we are agnostic/atheist so is it possible? 2. A baptized Catholic above the age of 16 years old and also has completed the sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Non-baptized persons may not serve in the role of sponsors or witnesses. meaning of a life of Catholic discipleship. The Code of Canon Law requires godparents for infant baptism “insofar as possible” (CIC 872); they are not an absolute requirement for valid baptism. If, two godparents are chosen one must be male and the other female. Godparents must also be active Catholics in a state of grace. Godparents should really help the parents commemorate their godchild’s Baptism annually, much like a birthday celebration. If you are planning to baptize to your baby in a Catholic church, here are the steps to become Christian in a Catholic Church. ... A baptized non-Catholic may not be a sponsor but may serve as a witness alongside a Catholic sponsor. What age first catholic communion? Baptism without consent: Catholic christening: Godparents for a catholic baptism: Christening - Church of England or Catholic?? The child is baptized in the faith of their parents, godparents and of the Church. The second sponsor may be a Christian Witness (i.e., a non-Catholic Christian may fulfill this role). The godparents promise to support the parents in raising the child in the practice of the Catholic faith. During the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism, the godparents make a promise to assist the parents of the child in fulfilling their responsibility of forming the child in the Catholic faith. The other can be a Protestant “Christian Witness.” Non-Christians and Baptized Catholics can never be a Christian Witness. The baptism preparation session for the Pastorate is held at St. Joseph’s and designed to provide the formation and information needed to fully understand the Sacrament of Baptism and your role as a Catholic parent/godparent. A godparent must be Catholic. This means they have received all three Sacraments of Initiation, which are Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation. REQUIREMENTS FOR GODPARENTS FOR BAPTISM The role of godparents is vital to the life of the Christian. A baptized non-Catholic may not be a godparent but can serve as a witness along with a Catholic godparent… Since 1983, neither the Catholic Church Canon Law, nor the Catechism of the Catholic Church make any reference to Godparents by proxy. What are the requirements to be a Godparent? What is the catholic baptism requirements? What are the Requirements to be Godparents for Baptism? Your brother and his wife do not qualify because of their irregular marriage. In the case of an infant baptism, the role is together with the parents to present the child for baptism, and to help it live a Christian life befitting the baptized and faithfully to fulfill the duties inherent in baptism” (Canon 872). The Code of CanonLaw (Church Law) specifies the requirements for as serving godparents at Baptism (Canon 874): You may not be the parent of the person being baptized; you must be at least 16 years old; you must be fully initiated (Baptism, To be a godparent, a person must be one “who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on” (CIC 874 §1). In order to be of sufficient maturity and capacity, the godparent must be at least 16 years of age. Together they carry out the role of godparents in the baptism. The Code also notes, "It is desirable that the one who undertook the role of sponsor at baptism be sponsor for confirmation" (See Canon Law 893). These requirements mentioned by Fr. As long as one godparent is Catholic, it is permissible for a non-Catholic to act as witness to a child's baptism. IF the godparents you chose for your child are non-Catholics, they may still be godparents, but just like those without any requirement to present, they will just be ‘witnesses’ to the Christening. A non-Catholic person may not be a godparent at a Catholic baptism. –Cecilia “Through the sacrament of baptism the faithful are incorporated into Christ and into his Church. Any faithful Catholic who has either been through a baptism preparation class, or knows someone who has, understands that one of the contributing problems to choosing poorly qualified godparents stems from a lack of education on how the Church views the role of a godparent. Therefore, the single most important factor is whether the person is an active, practicing Catholic. After we are only talking about the effort of “one hour” . Baptismal Godparents. Only a practicing Catholic who meets the qualifications of a confirmed Catholic, age 16 or older, and has received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, may be a godparent or sponsor for baptism. If the requirements for certificates are met, the certificates then should be presented to the baptism coordinator for the parish. More than just a reliable relative or friend, the godparent is meant to be a teacher of the Catholic Christian faith. To be a Godparent, one must be a fully initiated Catholic (baptized, confirmed, and received Eucharist). 1) at least 16 years old 2) practicing Catholic with good standing in the church 3) not of the same gender as the second godparent 4) have received the sacraments of baptism, eucharist and confirmation. 4. One Godparent may be the godparent for the whole family or each person may have one or two (one of each gender) They all must meet the Catholic requirements found in Canon Law. Whom should I choose as godparents/sponsors for my child’s Baptism? 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