Rev. Fr. David Okolie
Dearest friends, normally, among some Catholics, it is a thing of boast to have become the godparent of many persons in baptism. Sometimes, on the part of the biological parents of the prospective candidate for baptism (Adult or Infant) it is an opportunity of establishing a connection that would yield MATERIAL and other gains; of course, sometimes, not excluding moral gains. To say the least, very often all the parties forget the reasons why the Church brings in the idea of godparent (sponsor) at baptism. Now, let us take a closer look at the Church’s intention about the whole issue.
The Church’s intention for having a godparent/sponsor at Baptism is clearly expressed thus:
“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 fulfill the DUTIES inherent in baptism” (cf. Can. 872).
Again, Canon 874 has this to add:
“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…”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church corroborates the above thus:
“For the grace of Baptism to unfold, the parents’ help is important. So too is the role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, ABLE and READY to help the newly baptized – CHILD or adult on the road of Christian life. Their task is a truly ecclesial function (officium)…” (cf. CCC n. 1255).
Over and above all, a GODPARENT has also the duty of praying for his baptimal child; even requesting Masses for him/her from time to time. The above gestures enrich the spiritual connection between them.
👉🏼Please, if you want to be a godparent (sponsor) to anyone, kindly be ready to fulfill all of the above. When you are not ready, kindly excuse yourself. To accept such a serious SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITY without fulfilling it would really be a sign of IRRESPONSIBILITY that would be accounted for before God.
Parents, please, let WORLDLY GAINS not motivate your choice of the godparent of your child. That is really disastrous!
👉🏼Finally, we encourage the Ministers of the Sacraments to always ensure that all the parties are THOROUGHLY CATECHIZED (instructed) on what the Church expects from them before the administration of the Sacrament. Thus, Pope St. JOHNPAUL II affirms:
“… In other words, sacramental life is IMPOVERISHED and very soon turns into HOLLOW RITUALISM if it is not based on serious knowledge of the meaning of the Sacraments, and catechesis becomes intellectualized if it fails to come alive in the sacramental practice” (cf. Catechesi Tradendae, n. 23).
👉🏼 NOTE: All the above are also applicable to the Sacrament of Confirmation (Cf. Cann. 892-893).
Remain blessed🙏🏼
