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Lionel Martinez wrote:

Hi, guys —

I have an odd situation. My wife and I are not Catholic. We just had a baby and picked a great couple to be the Godparents of our son. The couple are Catholic and practice the Catholic religion very faithfully. They brought it to our attention that they cannot be the Godparents of our son unless we become Catholics and teach him the Catholic religion.

We really love them and want them to be his Godparents, but feel that it is asking a lot from us.

Please respond and tell me if they are correct or if you need more information. I really need some more information to be able to move forward.

Thank you,

Lionel
  { Why do we have to become Catholic for our friends to be Godparents to our son? }

Mary Ann replied:

Lionel,

Catholics may not be Godparents for a baptism in a non-Catholic denomination because they would be promising to see that the child was formed in a faith, which would violate their conscience.

However, a Catholic may be an official witness of a valid Baptism at a non-Catholic denomination in the same way non-Catholic Christians are allowed to be witnesses, but not sponsors or Godparents, at Catholic Baptisms.

Mary Ann

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