Godparents play a crucial role not only in a child’s baptism but in the child’s life as a Catholic Christian. The godparent presents the child for baptism along with the parents. Throughout the child’s life, they will pray for the child, assist parents in fostering a relationship with Christ, and witness to the Christian faith through their lives. That’s why choosing a Godparent is an important decision!
Please use the following guidelines in choosing each godparent:
- You may choose up to two godparents.
- If you choose to have only one godparent, they may be male or female.
- Godparents can be relatives but not parents or legal guardians.
- Godparents must be at least 16 years old.
- Two godparents do not need to be married to one another.
- Two godparents may consist of one male or one female.
- At least one of the Godparents must be a Catholic who:
- has received all of the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation).
- is attempting to live out their faith through prayer, going to Mass and Confession, being part of their faith community, and loving one another, including those in need.
- is either married within the Church or unmarried, divorced or widowed and not living with a partner
- For the second godparent, you may choose a non-Catholic Christian. Designated as a “Christian witness,” they will participate in the baptism with the other godparent. A Christian witness is permitted as long as you have one Catholic godparent.
- The Christian witness must be:
- baptized
- attempting to live out their faith through prayer, going to Church and being part of their faith community, and loving one another, including those in need.
- If a godparent cannot be present at the baptism, they may be represented by proxy. The proxy can be Catholic or a Christian of another denomination. The godparent may designate the proxy on the Godparent Form.
- The selection of godparents may not be changed after the baptism.