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Dear Catholic Exchange,
My husband and I are practicing Catholics, but my brother and sister-in-law belong to the Church of Christ. My husband is already godfather to one of their children and I am named to be godmother to their new baby. My brother and his wife aren't very Christian, so I feel we are these children's best shot at spiritual growth and instruction, but is it improper for Catholics to be godparents to non-Catholics? I feel strongly that I should do this, but will I be committing a sin against my Church?
Mrs. Wolfe
Dear Mrs. Wolfe,
Peace in Christ!
We are pleased to hear from you. In this email you expressed concern as to whether or not it is permissible for you as a Catholic to fulfill the role of godparent for your niece or nephew in a non-Catholic service. Your concern for the well-being of your young niece or nephew and your desire to participate in the child’s spiritual formation are admirable. Children have a great need for both teachers and examples of Christian living while they are growing up.
The Catholic Church certainly encourages godparents and affirms the role they play in a child’s upbringing. However, this important function is not restricted to a child’s godparent(s). In other words, it is not necessary to hold the position of godparent in order to provide an example of faith in leading a Christian life. The Church recognizes that all Christian family and friends may be a positive influence on a child’s faith. For example, consider a situation in which a godparent has gone astray and is no longer a good role-model for a child. The parents of that child can certainly allow other faithful Catholics to help nurture their child’s faith.
However, though Baptism is indeed the sacrament that unites all Christians in ecclesial communion, it is fitting that godparents and the one baptized should profess the same faith. By acting as godparent one stands as representative of the particular community of faith into which the individual is being baptized and also affirms his or her intention of educating the one baptized according to the teachings of that particular denomination. The Directory on Ecumenism (no. 98) explains it as follows:
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. 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. 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 Catholic may do the same for a person being baptized in another ecclesial Community.Therefore, in such a situation as yours, in which the child will not be baptized into the Catholic Church, nor do the parents intend to educate the child in the Catholic faith, you as a Catholic are invited to participate in the baptism and to serve as a witness, while declining the offer to stand as godparent. You may wish to speak of this with your brother and sister-in-law as well as the minister who will be baptizing your nephew.
You also expressed concern that acting as the child’s godparent would be a sinful act against the Church. Your concern reveals delicacy of conscience and docility to the Church’s teaching authority. While the Church represents God to us, sin is ultimately an offense against God who loves us. It is the role of the Church to act as guide in matters of faith and morals. So we may look to the Church for guidance in avoiding sin, in knowing God’s will, and in such things as the proper observance of the sacraments.
Please see our Faith Fact on Godparents. There are more Faith Facts on baptism and many other issues available at www.cuf.org.
I hope this information is helpful. Please feel free to call us at 1-800-MY FAITH or email us with any further questions on this or any other subject. If you have found this information to be helpful, please consider a donation to CUF to help sustain this service. You can call the toll-free line, visit us at www.cuf.org, or send your contribution to the address below. Thank you for your support as we endeavor to “support, defend, and advance the efforts of the teaching Church.”
United in the Faith,
Kathleen Rohan
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
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