Godparents
Godparents and Sponsors
When a person is baptised, they need to have a sponsor, often called a godparent. The Church lays down a number of simple rules about this which are summarised below in a question and answer format.
What does a godparent do?
A godparent will help the baptised person to live out their Catholic faith and fulfil the duties that come with it. They should have an ongoing relationship with the newly baptised person, so that they can support them in the years to come. The godparent should also pray regularly for their godchild, because prayer is an important means of helping people.
Who can be a godparent?
A godparent must be a baptised and confirmed Catholic, normally aged over 16, and someone who is full of faith and accepts the teachings of the Church. Parents cannot be godparents since they already have a spiritual relationship with their child by virtue of being parents.
Who chooses a godparent?
If a child is being baptised, then the parents or lawful guardians choose the godparent. An adult chooses their own godparent.
How many godparents can you have?
You need at least one, and the maximum is two – one man and one woman. These are the names that will be recorded by the Church. There is nothing to stop other friends and family members supporting the newly baptised in an unofficial capacity – and, of course, featuring in any photos.
Can a non-Catholic Christian be a godparent?
A godparent must be Catholic, but if there is one godparent, then the second can be
replaced by a Christian Witness from a non-Catholic community.
When a person is baptised, they need to have a sponsor, often called a godparent. The Church lays down a number of simple rules about this which are summarised below in a question and answer format.
What does a godparent do?
A godparent will help the baptised person to live out their Catholic faith and fulfil the duties that come with it. They should have an ongoing relationship with the newly baptised person, so that they can support them in the years to come. The godparent should also pray regularly for their godchild, because prayer is an important means of helping people.
Who can be a godparent?
A godparent must be a baptised and confirmed Catholic, normally aged over 16, and someone who is full of faith and accepts the teachings of the Church. Parents cannot be godparents since they already have a spiritual relationship with their child by virtue of being parents.
Who chooses a godparent?
If a child is being baptised, then the parents or lawful guardians choose the godparent. An adult chooses their own godparent.
How many godparents can you have?
You need at least one, and the maximum is two – one man and one woman. These are the names that will be recorded by the Church. There is nothing to stop other friends and family members supporting the newly baptised in an unofficial capacity – and, of course, featuring in any photos.
Can a non-Catholic Christian be a godparent?
A godparent must be Catholic, but if there is one godparent, then the second can be
replaced by a Christian Witness from a non-Catholic community.