Myself ( Catholic) and my ex partner ( non Catholic) have an almost 6 year old son. Can I have two Godmothers?Bishop Coyne walks us through some of the guidelines associated with godparents. 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. The role of godparent is an important one in the Catholic church. Reply. Members of the Eastern Churches are distinguished from members of ecclesial communities. a) However, based on the common baptism and because of ties of blood or friendship, a baptized person who belongs to another ecclesial community may be admitted as a witness to the baptism, but only together with a Catholic godparent. A godparent of a Catholic child should be Catholic. They do not merely undertake a responsibility for the Christian education of the person being baptized (or confirmed) as a relation or friend; they are also there as representatives of a community of faith, standing as guarantees of the candidate's faith and desire for ecclesial communion (no. But its very similar. The witness will be responsible for setting a good example for the baptized person while the Catholic godparent will share the specifics of the Catholic faith. However, a non-Catholic person can stand up at the baptism with the parents as an "unofficial witness", as long as there is at least one Catholic godparent present. Q. The validly baptized non-Catholic would be a Christian witness. 874 §1. Catholic Exchange is a project of Sophia Institute Press. “A baptized Catholic above the age of 16 years old … and the Catholic who is baptized must also have completed the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation,” said Madrid. In short, if a person is not Catholic, but is a baptized Christian who belongs to a non-Catholic denomination, he may participate, together with a sponsor (godparent), as a witness of the baptism (Canon Law, Can. A non-Catholic may serve as a witness to the baptism, but is not officially the godparent, a role that is reserved to Catholics alone. Baptism, like all … My son’s school has now approached me and are requiring a baptismal certificate for my son shortly so he can start to learn the sacraments. In other words, canon law permits the parents of an infant to choose a Catholic and a non-Catholic Christian as "godparents," and exteriorly they may both appear to assume these roles at the actual baptismal ceremony. At least one of the godparents must be a member of the Catholic Church. No. But its very similar. In other words, canon law permits the parents of an infant to choose a Catholic and a non-Catholic Christian as “godparents,” and exteriorly they may both appear to assume these roles at the actual baptismal ceremony. Source(s): Catholic deacon. Can I have two Godmothers?Bishop Coyne walks us through some of the guidelines associated with godparents. A Catholic is not forbidden to stand as godparent in an Eastern Orthodox Church, if he/she is so invited. But in the parish’s baptismal register, only the Catholic will be recorded as the official sponsor of the child, while the non-Catholic will be mentioned only as a witness to the … They realize the importance of godparents and have asked me about the situation since I am Catholic. Who Can Be a Godparent? Can Catholics be godparents to children of another Christian demonination? Ordinarily, the sponsor for any sacrament of initiation - baptism, confirmation, eucharist - is a member of the communion into which the elect or the aspirant is being baptised/confirmed/admitted to communion. 4 and 5, specified that for a religious to be a godparent, it required an urgent necessity and the approval of the … © Copyright 2021 Catholic Exchange. It is the Catholic understanding that godparents, in a liturgical and canonical sense, should themselves be members of the Church or ecclesial Community in which the baptism is being celebrated. All rights reserved. Having been born and raised in the Catholic faith and a practicing Catholic, it was always my understanding that as long as one godparent is Catholic, that it was OK to have the other godparent be a non-Catholic person to be the godparent. Since they are not Catholic, they are seen by the Church as not being good role models of the Faith for the child. That's why we're having such a hard time getting her baptized bc my brother will for sure be the god father but we can't find a Catholic god mother we both feel comfortable with. Kris L. Lv 7. Can I be a Godparent even if I am not Catholic? You cannot replace the godparent, but you could ask another Catholic whose spiritual maturity and moral character you trust to act as a religious mentor to your child. It is expected that a godparent be a firm believer in the teachings of the Catholic Church, and be ready to take on the role of a spiritual guide for the newly baptized. Fr. Godparents must be practicing Catholics who are at least 16 years of age and must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation. If neither of the godparents is Catholic, this isn’t possible. How Families Can Prepare for Spiritual Warfare | Kathleen Beckman, How Can Beauty & Culture Save the World? A non-practicing Catholic does not qualify as a godparent; however, such a choice, as poor as it would be, is still better than a practicing Protestant in this particular role. b. the person is younger than the age that has been stipulated by the diocesan Bishop, usually age 16. c. the person is not a Catholic. Actually, it's only required that there is one godparent, period (there can be two, a man and woman). For my nephew's circumcision, I've been asked to be the sandak, the person who holds the infant during the circumcision. Christianity. Yes, what follows is a list of personal characteristics that disqualify a person as a Godparent: a. the person has no intention of fulfilling his obligations as a Godparent. A baptized non-Catholic may be permitted to serve at a Catholic baptism, but only in company with another, Catholic sponsor, and simply as a witness. It is the Catholic understanding that godparents, in a liturgical and canonical sense, should themselves be members of the Church or ecclesial community in which the baptism is being celebrated. Even as such they stand ready to assist the parents in any way they could for the good of the child. Good afternoon, I have a question that I hope someone can assist me with. Now would it be the same in reverse? Perhaps Godparents offer a fresh perspective on issues that kids face. Listen to the audio version of this content. Lutherans also have this expectation. 1. That is, that a Catholic godparent cannot foster a non-Catholic faith in their godchild, if that is expected of them. 874.2). Below is an extract from Canon/Church Law about who can be a sponsor/godparent at Baptism. 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). A non-practicing nominal Catholic would probably just shirk his/her responsibility as a godparent, and not contribute to the growth of the child in the Holy Catholic faith. . Basically the adult is still recognized during the christening ceremony but theyre not officially a godparent. Check with the priest or whoever is performing the christening. Like for example I know Catholics can Marry non Catholics and if the Non Catholic spouse wants to get Married in their own religious on Non religious Way. Yes. Oh hold up! The role of godparent is an important one in the Catholic church. In Everything you Wanted to Know About Catholic Liturgy, Bishop Christopher Coyne of Vermont answers frequently asked questions about the Catholic liturgy.Who can be a Godparent? Ecclesial function ( officium ) people can a catholic be a godparent to a non catholic being asked to be a `` Christian witness it. 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