[Javalita]

Do you definitely need a godparent of different sexes or can you have two godmothers? Thanks for your advise!

[6boysrus]

Canon law states:

Can. 872 In so far as possible, a person being baptised is to be assigned a sponsor. In the case of an adult baptism, the sponsor's role is to assist the person in christian initiation. In the case of an infant baptism, the role is together with the parents to present the child for baptism, and to help it to live a christian life befitting the baptised and faithfully to fulfil the duties inherent in baptism.

Can. 873 One sponsor, male or female, is sufficient; but there may be two, one of each sex.

Can. 874 §1 To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

1° be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or the minister; to be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;

2° be not less than sixteen years of age, unless a different age has been stipulated by the diocesan Bishop, or unless the parish priest or the minister considers that there is a just reason for an exception to be made;

3° be a catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken;

4° not labour under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared;

5° not be either the father or the mother of the person to be baptised.

§2 A baptised person who belongs to a non-catholic ecclesial community may be admitted only in company with a catholic sponsor, and then simply as a witness to the baptism.


So you may have ONE not TWO female godparents.

[Liepolds]

We have a fairly progressive priest and a few of the parents at Nates baptism had two of the same sex Godparents. I know the one stipulation our church had was that at least one of the Godparents be baptised and practicing Catholic.

Good luck, and congrats on your childs baptism.

[6boysrus]

Progressive or not progressive Canon Law is Canon law. Perhaps one of the women was just a mere witness rather than a Godparent, which would be in line with the canon.

One female would be the actual godparent and the other a witness. But two women can never be godparents, regardless as prescribed by canon law.

[djp03]

I teach the pre-jordan class at our parish. I ditto what 6boysrus said. Technically speaking you only need one godparent. That person must be at least 16, confirmed, and living in conformity with the Catholic Church's teaching.

M

[Lovebug]

Our pastor would not allow us to have two godfather's in pursuant to Canon Law.

--Renee

[Javalita]

Thank you all. Our priest was very firm that our godparents should be practicing catholics. We had one of each sex, but both out of the country. He wasn't so happy with that. So we did ask about the two godmothers (one in the U.S. and one in Ireland) and he said that would be fine. Sounds as if one is actually a witness... I'll ask him more at our next meeting.

Thanks again!

[ChgoFAMom]

I am one of 2 Godmothers.............(no Godfather) I asked my own priest about this when my daughter was baptised CATHOLIC last month - and he told me that it is almost 100% the preference of the priests (and Archdioscese) about this.

She WILL be a Godparent - and the difference should be embraced.

[6boysrus]

Originally Posted by ChgoFAMom

it is almost 100% the preference of the priests (and Archdioscese) about this..

I once again beg to differ. Canon law IS canon law. there is NO change neccessary.

And the policies of the Archdiocese of Chicago are quite clear. Which follows the canon law by the way..3 of my 6 children have been baptised in the Archdiocese..

Archdiocese of Chicago
Policies, Book 4, The Sacraments of Initiation
http://policy.archchicago.org/policies/bk4num100.pdf

101.3.1. Policy
Catholic parents preparing for the baptism of their infant are expected to participate in a process of sacramental preparation before the baptism of their child. Godparents may also be encouraged to participate.

102.3.4. Policy
In the baptism of infants parents take responsibility for choosing a godparent or godparents who will serve as good examples for living the Catholic way of life. A godparent can later serve as the sponsor of the child when he/she is confirmed.

102.3.5. Policy
Although the selection of two godparents is customary, only one godparent is required for baptism. A godparent can be either male or female. If two godparents are chosen, one must be male and one female. (Canon 873) A godparent must also be a fully initiated Roman Catholic who is free to celebrate the sacraments. (Canons 892 and 893) A baptized non-Catholic Christian can be chosen as a Christian witness provided there is at least one Catholic godparent. (Canon 874.2)

102.3.6. Policy
A godparent must have completed his or her 16th year unless, for just cause, the pastor or minister of the sacrament makes an exception. Each godparent must be a confirmed Catholic who has also received first communion and is leading a life in harmony with the Catholic faith and the role of a sponsor. A godparent cannot be a parent of the one to be baptized and/or confirmed and cannot be bound by any canonical penalty.

In addition to the explicit canonical requirements (Canon 874), sponsors and godparents should be ready to commit the time and personal care necessary to nurture and support the candidate, whether a child or an adult. Ideally, they should be willing and available to participate in the catechumenate with their candidate or in the special preparations designed for the parents and family of an infant. One's godparents can never be changed since they were the historical witnesses to the baptism and entered a permanent spiritual relationship with the baptized.

[Poleczech]

Just wondering .... we have wanted to ask my brother (a practicing, confirmed Catholic) and his wife (a baptised non-Catholic who attends the Catholic Church but has not officially joined the church) to be godparents to our someday child. We serve as Godparents to both of their children, and we are all very close. According to the Canon law, my SIL could serve but only as a witness and not as Godmother -- am I reading that correctly? I wonder if there is any way (and maybe I just need to talk to my priest about this) if we could call her the Godmother, so as not to hurt her feelings, but in the church record, just mark her as a witness???

[leaabc123]

My niece has two god fathers and one godmother and my nephews each have two godmothers and one godfather, don't ask me why but they do.

[ChgoFAMom]

the law says one thing....then how did I become one of 2 godmothers (not witnesses but godmother) and why would my priest say such a thing? (I'm Chicago Archdioscese too so the reference is the same)?

[LadyBugz]

ChgoFAMom,
There are three possible scenarios that I can see.

1. All involved decided on Poleczech's method: "we could call her the Godmother, so as not to hurt her feelings, but in the church record, just mark her as a witness"

2. Someone along the line got confused in terminology and/or roles OR someone along the line did not bother to clarify terminology and/or roles

3. The priest or deacon who performed the baptism acted outside the canon laws. If this is the case, then the status has no legal bearing as the priest has no authority to make such a decision. Comparison: some stranger sold your car without your knowledge or permission. When someone shows up at your doorstep, you might be sympathetic to the fact that the person is out lots of money, but you aren't going to hand over your car. The fact of the matter is that the contract is invalid as the stranger had no authority to act on your behalf. The man must take up the issue with the stranger in order to recover his money.

If the fact of the matter is that two women were documented both as godmothers, I would think that at least one of them is invalid. I do not know which it would be or if it would be both. It sounds like a good question to ask a canon lawyer or church apologist. You can try EWTN or Catholic Answers.

[adoptmom_02]

At the time I thought we would not be having more kids. we have 2 of my brothers as god parents to our son.