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NonCatholicSeekingAnswers wrote:

Hi, guys —

I am a Christian, specifically a Pentecostal. I know a family who is Catholic and they have put their youngest child through Catechism. He has only been there for one year and they are already talking about who the godparents would be to this child.

I have a close relationship with their child and they have brought up the possibility about me being the chosen godparent. They thought about this because they know I came from a Catholic background but I've never really practiced the faith. I transitioned to a Christian Pentecostal Church many years ago and I have been strictly devoted to this faith since then. I have high respect and love for this family since we have known each other for most of my life, however they still, to this day, do not respect my faith. I am asking from a Catholic perspective:

  • What is the best way to handle this situation, and
  • if there are specific requirements to becoming a godparent.

(Also, I never received my Confirmation as I heard that this is required). The family themselves are not exactly devoted followers and they have only started going to church again since the child started Catechism classes.

As fellow Christians, I believe that we should all celebrate our love for Jesus Christ and God, even if there are so many denominations and churches. For 1 John 3:14 says that,

If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life.

SeekingAnswers
  { How do I handle this situation and what are the specific requirements to becoming a godparent? }

Eric replied:

Dear SeekingAnswers,

You don't really qualify as a godparent. You could be a Christian witness, which can replace one godparent, but not a godparent, because godparents must be Catholic (Canon 874.1.3).

Depending on when you left the Church, you might technically be regarded as a Catholic for canon law purposes, but in any case, it violates, either way, the spirit of the law.

The canon stipulates that the godparent must be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life of faith in keeping with the function to be taken on.

I give you credit, though, for your admirable integrity in recognizing the situation for what it is and not taking on a role you can't honestly fulfill.

Eric
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