Can someone from the Church of England be a godparent to a RC kid?

CathyMoran

Does anyone know if someone who belongs to the Church of England can be a godparent in a Roman Catholic baptism? Is not a question for a few years but my best friend is Church of Ireland and I would not want anyone else to be a godfather apart from him. Can he also be their sponsor for their confirmation?

Hermione*

I would have thought not to either question. A Godparent in the religious definition is supposed to be a spiritual guide to the child and uphold the baptismal vows, which will be affirmed by the parents and godparents at both the baptism and Confirmation (and of course at the latter event, by the child also). The Confirmation sponser need not be a Godparent, but I would be fairly certain they'd need to be a Catholic. Of couse, you could always argue, how would the priest know if nobody told him, and your friend was willing to affirm the vows regardless. But if as I suspect, the religious impact of both ceremonies is important to you, that's probably not a solution.

It's unfortunate though that your friend can't stand for your child. I could of course be wrong, but I'd be very surprised to hear that it's otherwise.

leche solara

The main duty of a godparent is to raise the child in the Catholic faith in the event of something happening to the parents. I would say this would be difficult for a C of I person as they would be responsible for communion, confirmation, mass going etc. Can't see the Catholic church allowing it as they would fear proselytising

BrianCalgary

Check with a priest.
Someone once told me that you keep asking priests until you find one that will go along with it.
My argument would be that you feel as the parents that this particular candidate for god parent would continue to take your kid to a Christian Church in the event of a disaster. Whereas you do not trust any of your 'catholic' friends to continue the education process with your kids.

CathyMoran

I think that I will have to not tell the priest when the time comes - my best friend is a great role model and would respect the catholic faith and would look after any child appropriatly, I would trust him with my life and if any kid I ever have turns out half as good as him I will be lucky. Thanks for all of the replies.

Hermione*

Well, ultimately it's about your child's welfare, not just their religious upbringing. If he's a good role model for child and would take care of your son/daughter, that's more important than just ensuring your child is brought to Mass.

I'd probably go with the non-informing of the priest as well tbh.

UU

I don't think it matters what religion the god parent actually is. My godmother wasn't baptised or anything and there wasn't any issue. I don't think the church really care to be honest or will start looking through records. If they do kick up a fuss, threaten that you won't baptise your child in the RC church and they'll surely shut up! Anyway, your friend is still Christian at the end of the day regardless of the denomination and still believes in similiar beliefs anyway like Jesus Christ!

Cantab.

I looked up the Catechism and was referred to the code of canon law (CIC).

The entire chapter from CIC, I've pasted below:

SPONSORS

Can. 872 Insofar as possible, a person to be baptized is to be given a sponsor who assists an adult in Christian initiation or together with the parents presents an infant for baptism. A sponsor also helps the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it.

Can. 873 There is to be only one male sponsor or one female sponsor or one of each.

Can. 874 §1. To be permitted to take on the function of sponsor a person must:

1/ be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function;

2/ have completed the sixteenth year of age, unless the diocesan bishop has established another age, or the pastor or minister has granted an exception for a just cause;

3/ 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;

4/ not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;

5/ not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.

§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.


I guess the bit that refers to you is Canon Law pp. 874 §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."?

Anyway, I'm no expert. As was said above, talk to your priest. Interesting question all the same which has given me an excuse to dust off my catechism, and has kept me occupied for the last 15 minutes!

lowdenclear

§2. A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic ecclesial community is not to participate except together with a Catholic sponsor and then only as a witness of the baptism.

I think that is what you're after. Talk to your priest. I think he should be fine with your friend being a Christian witness for your child, in place of a godfather. Providing, of course, that the godmother is Catholic... At least, that's what I think this quote is getting at?

ISAW

Cantab. wrote:

I looked up the Catechism and was referred to the code of canon law (CIC).

The entire chapter from CIC, I've pasted below:

Of course you could argue that there is only ONE baptism. You can get a baptisimal cert which recognised common baptism. This means maybe you would have to go to another denomination (in your case the Cof I for the baptism and ask for a certificate of cammon baptism. RC recognise the one baptism. If you tell this to the priest and offer him the option of baptising the child with the understanding that the god parents both agree that the child should be brought up RC, or you will get the child baptised in the Cof I (assuming the Cof I will do it- in any case the methodists or someone else will) and then ask for a certificate of common baptism. It says on the back "This baptism is recognised by RC CoI CoI Persbeterian Methodist... etc.

They cant refuse to recognise the baptism. They are bound by ecumenical agreements. so id you really wnat this and the CoI person is agreed to bring the child up RC then " test the water" by suggesting it.