Kara Sears
According to Catholic Canon Law, the role of a godparent is to care for the spiritual welfare of the baptized person and to ensure that they are brought up in the Catholic faith. While it is more common to have two godparents, only one is required, and it is acceptable for this one godparent to be either male or female. However, if there are two godparents, they must be male and female. This means that two women can be godparents, as long as there is also a man, whether another godparent or the child's father.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of godparents required | One godparent is sufficient |
| Number of godparents allowed | Two godparents are allowed |
| Gender of godparents | If there are two godparents, they must be one of each sex |
| Faith of godparents | At least one godparent must be a practising Catholic |
| Responsibility of godparents | To see that the godchild is raised in the Catholic faith |
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What You'll Learn
Canon law states that only one godparent is required
According to Canon Law, the primary responsibility of a godparent is to ensure that their godchild is brought up in the Catholic faith. Canon 872 states that godparents are to help the newly baptised to live a Christian life and faithfully fulfil the duties inherent in baptism. This is why it is expected that at least one godparent is a practising Catholic.
The Code of Canon Law (c. 874§2) allows the participation of "a baptised member of a non-Catholic ecclesial community" but only together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism. This distinction between a godparent and a Christian witness is important. While a non-Catholic Christian can only be recorded as a Christian witness, their role in the child's life is still important. They can ensure that the child goes to Catholic school and is raised in the Catholic faith.
Different parishes seem to interpret the law differently, and there is some ambiguity in the canons. However, the canon regarding who may and may not be a Catholic baptismal sponsor is clear.
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Two godparents are allowed, but they must be one of each sex
According to Canon Law, only one godparent is required for a Catholic baptism, but two godparents are allowed as long as they are one of each sex. This is supported by Canon 873 in the Code of Canon Law, which states that there is "to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each".
The role of a godparent is to be a "spiritual mother/father" to the child and to care for their spiritual welfare, ensuring that the child is raised in the Catholic faith. This means that a godparent must be a practising Catholic who has been confirmed and has made their First Holy Communion.
While two godparents of the same sex are generally not permitted, there may be exceptions made by individual priests. Some people have reported having two godmothers or godfathers for their children in Catholic churches without any issues, while others have been denied this request by the priest. It is important to note that the decision may depend on the flexibility of the priest and the specific rules of the church.
In addition to the official godparents, parents may also choose to honour another couple at the baptism by asking them to be Christian witnesses to the ceremony, as long as they are baptised Christians.
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Godparents must be practising Catholics
The role of a godparent in the Catholic Church is to be a "spiritual mother/father" to the child, responsible for their spiritual welfare, and to ensure the child is raised in the Catholic faith. This has been the case since the early Middle Ages, when the role of godparent was separated from that of the birth parents.
Canon Law states that a godparent must be a practising Catholic who has been confirmed and has made their First Holy Communion. They must be living a life of faith compatible with the duty they are taking on. The godparent must be chosen by the parents, be at least 16 years old, and cannot be the father or mother of the person being baptised.
The Code of Canon Law (c. 874§2) does allow for the participation of a non-Catholic, but only as a witness to the baptism, and only if there is also a Catholic godparent. This is because the godparent represents the Church and its faith, and is responsible for assisting the parents in bringing up the child in that faith.
While a child can have two godparents, they must be of opposite sexes. This is in keeping with the analogy to natural parenthood.
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Godparents' primary responsibility is to ensure the child is raised in the Catholic faith
The role of a godparent in the Catholic Church is to ensure that their godchild is raised in the Catholic faith and attains heaven. Godparents are expected to be mentors, educators, and spiritual guides to their godchildren, helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and understand the beliefs, rituals, and practices of the Catholic faith.
According to Canon Law, a godparent must be a practising Catholic who has been confirmed, received the Eucharist, and leads a moral life in harmony with the faith. While the Church does not require that a child has two godparents, it is a tradition for a child to have one male and one female godparent. These godparents are responsible for assisting the parents in raising the child in the Catholic faith and helping them lead a Christian life.
Godparents should strive to be positive role models for their godchildren and remain in close contact with them and their parents. They are expected to attend major milestones in their godchild's life, such as First Communion and graduations, and to commemorate their godchild's sacramental anniversaries, including their baptism, confirmation, and First Communion. By doing so, godparents reinforce the importance of spiritual goods in their godchild's life.
In the event of the death of the parents, godparents may also take on the responsibility of raising the child. This tradition is at the parents' discretion, but it underscores the importance of choosing godparents who will be committed to the spiritual growth and overall well-being of their godchild.
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Different parishes interpret the law differently
Canon law states that there should be one male sponsor or one female sponsor, or one of each, implying that two godparents of the same sex are not permitted. However, some parishes may interpret this more flexibly, as there are reports of instances where same-gender godparents have been allowed, possibly with special permission from the local bishop.
The requirement that godparents be practising Catholics who can serve as spiritual guides to the child is also variably interpreted. While some parishes may require proof of membership and a letter from the potential godparent's church, others may be more lenient, especially if the child's parents are actively involved in the parish community.
In some cases, the official recognition of godparents may be limited to one person, while still allowing other individuals to participate in the ceremony and take on an honorary godparent role. Ultimately, the decision on whether to have two women as godparents may depend on the specific parish and its interpretation of canon law, as well as the discretion of the priest or deacon overseeing the baptism.
It is always advisable to consult directly with the church where the baptism will take place to understand their specific requirements and interpretations of canon law regarding godparents.
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Frequently asked questions
Canon Law states that one godparent is sufficient, but there can be two, as long as they are one of each sex. While some priests have allowed two godmothers, others have refused.
According to Canon Law, a godparent must be a Catholic who has been confirmed, has made their First Holy Communion, and leads a life of faith compatible with the duty they are taking on.
The role of a godparent is to care for the spiritual welfare of their godchild and to ensure that they are raised in the Catholic faith.
A non-Catholic Christian can be recorded as a Christian witness, but one of the godparents must be a practicing Catholic.
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