Ethan Walker
Becoming a godparent in the Catholic Church is a significant role and honour. A godparent must be a spiritual role model and guide, and therefore, they must meet certain requirements. While there is no official list of requirements, and each parish may have its own ideas, a godparent should be a confirmed, practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church. They should be at least 16 years old, attend Mass regularly, and have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation). If married, godparents must be in a valid Catholic marriage. Catholics who are cohabiting or married outside the Church are generally not permitted to be godparents. A non-Catholic may serve as an official witness to the baptism, provided there is also a Catholic sponsor who meets all the requirements. To become a godparent, one may need to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility from their Parish Office.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 16 years |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Marital Status | Married in the Catholic Church |
| Sacraments | Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation |
| Church Attendance | Regular |
| Parent | Cannot be the mother or father of the person to be baptized |
| Sexual Indiscretions | No |
| Cohabitation | Cannot be cohabiting outside of marriage |
| Gender | If two godparents, there must be one male and one female |
| Number of Godparents | One, but tradition is two |
| Official Witness | A non-Catholic can be an official witness if there is a Catholic sponsor |
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What You'll Learn
The role of a godparent
Godparents are expected to be actively involved in the spiritual development of their godchild, even if they do not see them every day. This may include remembering sacramental anniversaries, sending cards or gifts, and encouraging the child to cultivate a devotion to their patron saint. Godparents may also help in ensuring the child attends Catholic school and receives a Catholic education.
The Church requires that godparents be confirmed, practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church. They must have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation) and be at least 16 years old. If married, their marriage must be valid in the eyes of the Catholic Church.
While there is no formal list of requirements, each parish and priest may have their own ideas about what makes a suitable godparent. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the person's overall character and their ability to fulfil the spiritual role of a godparent.
In some cases, a non-Catholic may serve as an "official witness" to the baptism, provided there is also a Catholic godparent who meets all the requirements. This witness is typically a validly baptized Christian who is an active member of their own church community.
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Requirements to be a godparent
The requirements to be a godparent in the Catholic Church are not always clear-cut and can vary between parishes. However, there are some general requirements that are widely recognised.
Firstly, a godparent must be a confirmed, practising Catholic who faithfully believes in and lives out the Catholic faith. This includes regularly attending Mass and receiving the sacraments. A godparent must be at least 16 years old and, if married, must be in a valid Catholic marriage. They must also have received the sacraments of initiation: baptism, Eucharist, and confirmation.
It is important to note that a godparent should not be the mother or father of the person being baptised. The role of a godparent is to assist the parents in the training of the child's faith, and these roles should be kept distinct.
While there is no legal list of requirements, and each parish or priest may have their own ideas, it is generally expected that a godparent will be a spiritual role model and guide for the child. This means that they should be someone who can set an example of Catholic morality and help the child to live a Christian life.
In some cases, a non-Catholic may serve as an "official witness" to the baptism, but only if there is also a proper Catholic sponsor who fully meets all the requirements of a godparent. This witness must be a validly baptised individual who practices their faith in Christ sincerely and is an active member of their church community.
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Getting a certificate of eligibility
To become a godparent in the Catholic Church, an individual must obtain a "Certificate of Eligibility" from their parish. This certificate is a formal recognition of the qualifications of the prospective godparent, affirming their commitment to guiding the child's spiritual development in accordance with Catholic teachings.
The process of obtaining a "Certificate of Eligibility" typically involves the following steps:
- Parish Membership and Regular Attendance: The prospective godparent must be an active member of a Catholic parish, attending Mass regularly, and participating in parish life.
- Sacraments of Initiation: Godparents must have received the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. This requirement ensures that the godparent has a solid foundation in Catholic doctrine and is capable of guiding the child's spiritual journey.
- Age Requirement: According to Canon Law, godparents must be at least 16 years of age. This requirement ensures that the godparent is mature enough to understand the responsibilities and commitments associated with the role.
- Lifestyle and Faith: The prospective godparent should be a Catholic in good standing, leading a life that aligns with Catholic teachings and moral values. This includes abstaining from sexual activity outside of a valid Catholic marriage. The church may consider the personal suitability of the godparent, including their lifestyle and faith practice.
- Completion of Documentation: The individual will need to fill out the necessary paperwork, which can often be done online. The Certificate of Eligibility typically includes the child's name, godparent's full name, godparent's signature, godparent's parish, and the signature of the pastor or church official confirming the godparent's eligibility.
- Submission and Verification: The completed form should be submitted to the parish, preferably at least two weeks before the scheduled baptism. The pastor or church official will review the documentation and provide verification.
It is important to note that the specific requirements and processes may vary slightly between different parishes and dioceses. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult with the local parish office or clergy for detailed instructions on obtaining a "Certificate of Eligibility" for godparents within their specific jurisdiction.
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The number of godparents
In some cases, a non-Catholic may serve as a "Christian witness" or official witness in conjunction with a Catholic sponsor. This person must be a validly baptized non-Catholic who practices their faith in Christ visibly and sincerely and can provide a letter from their pastor confirming their active membership in their church.
It is important to note that the role of a godparent is to assist the parents in the training of the child in the Catholic faith. Godparents should be confirmed, practicing Catholics in good standing with the Church, over the age of 16, and have received the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation).
While there is no formal list of requirements, personal suitability is an important factor in choosing godparents. The parents or candidates should carefully consider the faith and religious practice of the proposed godparents to ensure they can fulfill their role in guiding the child's spiritual development.
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The difference between a godparent and a witness
To certify as a Catholic godparent, one must be a confirmed, practising Catholic in good standing with the Church. They must be at least 16 years old, have received the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation), and if married, be in a valid Catholic marriage. They should also attend Mass each Sunday and on Holy Days, and intend to continue practising their Catholic faith.
Now, here is an explanation of the difference between a godparent and a witness:
A godparent is a confirmed, practising Catholic in good standing with the Church. They are expected to set an example for the child of how to live the faith and assist the parents in bringing up their child in the Catholic faith. They are also there as representatives of a community of faith, standing as guarantees of the candidate's faith and desire for ecclesial communion. The term "godparent" only applies to baptised Catholics. Protestants cannot act as godparents but can be "Christian witnesses" to the baptism.
A witness, on the other hand, is a "baptised person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community", according to Canon (Church) Law. They are often referred to as "Christian witnesses". A Christian witness is a validly baptised non-Catholic who practices their faith in Christ in a visible and sincere manner. They must provide a letter from their pastor indicating that they are an active member of their church community. During the baptism, a non-Catholic witness may perform all the parts of the ceremony that a godparent does, but their name will be entered into the Sacrament Record Book as an "official witness", together with the name of the godparent.
In summary, the key difference between a godparent and a witness is that a godparent is a baptised Catholic who is expected to set an example of faith for the child and assist in their religious upbringing, while a witness is a baptised non-Catholic who can serve as a second godparent during the baptism ceremony but does not have the same religious responsibilities towards the child.
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Frequently asked questions
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. They should also have received the Sacraments of Initiation, including Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation, and if married, be in a valid Catholic marriage.
A non-Catholic cannot be a godparent but they may serve as an "official witness" to the baptism, provided there is a proper Catholic sponsor who fully meets all the requirements of a godparent.
Divorce is not mentioned as a disqualifying factor for being a godparent. However, the Catholic Church does not recognize divorce, so those who are divorced without an annulment are still considered married in the eyes of the Church.
Yes, as long as they take seriously their responsibility and intention to help the children grow in faith.
You will need to attend a baptism class and obtain a sponsor form signed by a priest and stamped with the parish seal at your home parish.
