One of the most important decisions you will make as you bring your child to the baptismal font is the choice of godparents. There are two important questions which you need to consider as you make the right choice.
First: Will they likely remain an important part of your family’s life as your child matures? One role of godparents is to assist you “…in your duty as Christian mother and father.” (Rite of Baptism, # 79). You may be close friends with someone, but friendship, or even family relationship, does not mean that person can help you or your child in matters of faith and spiritual life. One cannot give what he/she does not have.
Second: Do they have an active and ongoing participation in the life of church? The other role of godparents is to speak on behalf of the church. They stand in proxy of the entire church which pledges to support you in your role as “…the first teachers of your child in the ways of faith”. (Blessing: Rite of Baptism, #70.) For that reason, the church should expect that prospective godparents ought to have a minimal association with the community of faith they will represent.
The following are the requirements set by the church to serve as a godparent: (General Instruction to the Rite of Baptism, # 10)
Be mature enough to undertake this responsibility;
Have received the three sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist;
Be a member of the Catholic Church, canonically free to carry out this office. (This generally means that if a person is married, they must be validly married in the Catholic Church.)
At least one godparent must fulfill the above requirements. A second person who is baptized from another Christian tradition may stand as a “Christian witness” to the baptism.
Please contact the parish office with any questions concerning the selection of Godparents.