Is it possible that my child can have two Godmothers?

LegacyUser

I have an overbearing best friend who I feel I should make my newborn's Godmother. However, my partner's sister has been very good to us too. Both myself and my partner agree that two Godmothers would be for the best but is it possible? Does the Catholic Church allow it?

~Rebel~

From a general point of view, why not?

From a catholic church point of view, it's probably best to just give your local priest a quick call and ask him.

Taltos

Um - not trying to play devil's advocate here - but overbearing friends tend to eventually burn out their welcome.
Are you 100% sure that your friendship will survive?

Reason I ask is my mum chose someone like this for mine - and I never met the woman or even got a birthday or christmas card from her growing up... At this stage I only can remember her surname.

poppyseeder

Yes it is possible:) My son was christened in august and had two sets of godparents:) One set was my sister and her lovely Italian husband and the other was my husbands best friend and his girlfriend,who can be very pushy but in fairness has a heart of gold.
Priest had no problem with it,you just need to let them know in advance.Best of luck and enjoy your little babs.

ibarelycare

My brother and his wife have twin boys, my brother has 3 sisters and my sister-in-law has one sister, (neither have brothers) so the twins have 4 godmothers (technically 2 godmothers each) instead of 2 godmothers and 2 godfathers! It wasn't an issue at all at the time. I've heard of a lot of people going for 2 godfathers/godmothers instead of one of each recently.

Penn

My niece was baptised just last month with two godmothers, so I'd say you're fine. No harm to check with the priest first though.

ABajaninCork

I have three godparents, as do my brothers.

My parents did one godmother and two godfathers for my brothers. I have one godfather and two godmothers. No problems at all.

My friend's son has six! Priest was quite happy with the arrangement.

LittleBook

My daughter has two godmothers.

silly

I share god mothering duties with another woman. No god father.

butterfly84

My nephew has two godmothers and one godfather.
The priest said it was ok but there had to be a godfather too for some reason.Must depend on the church/priest.

ongarboy

My niece has 2 godmothers and no godfather so the Catholic church allow it. I would question allowing anyone who is "overbearing" be a god parent to my child however but if you feel their spiritual guidance capabilities (ie the actual purpose of a god parent) are exceptional then go ahead!

Malari

I recently learned that in Spain the common thing is to have 2 x godparents the same sex as the child and 1 x of the other.

Dolbert

Malari wrote: »

I recently learned that in Spain the common thing is to have 2 x godparents the same sex as the child and 1 x of the other.

Yep, my fiance's niece is half Spanish and has 2 godmothers, they had the Christening at our local church. Have a chat to your priest.

qwertytlk

Hi, yes i am a second godmother to my niece as is my partner second godfather. Discuss it with the priest. Im sure they will be accomodating. On another note, it doesnt really seem as though you want the friend to be godmother as you describe her as 'overbearing' and state she wants to be godmother or somethng to thate effect. So im probably just stating the obvious but its your child and your decision,not the friends. Also if she is already overbearing and possibly over involved then imagine what she may be like if she was given the role of godmother!
Anyway good luck and enjoy the christening:)

zef

Godparents are for life.
Your 'overbearing friend may not be in your life in 5/ 10 years time, but your partners sister will, as she is auntie too.
From someone who regrets making silly godparent choices.

neemish

As the last poster said, is your friend going to be in your life in ten years time?

From the Catholic Church's point of view, baptismal registers ask for the names of a Godfather and Godmother. You are welcome to have as many Godparents as you like, but only two will be recorded in the register.

Godparents must be baptised Catholics over the age of 16 who have also been confirmed.

Hope this helps:)

KittyeeTrix

Hi OP,
My youngest son was baptised in the local rural catholic church about 8 years ago and he had 1 godmother and 3 godfathers.... All the names are on his baptismal cert:)

Reesy

Taltos wrote: »

Um - not trying to play devil's advocate here - but overbearing friends tend to eventually burn out their welcome.
Are you 100% sure that your friendship will survive?

Reason I ask is my mum chose someone like this for mine - and I never met the woman or even got a birthday or christmas card from her growing up... At this stage I only can remember her surname.

Sod the overbearing friend, choose somebody who, if awful things befall you and you other half, can be counted on to look after their Godchild. Seriously.

ziedth

At the risk of derailing the thread (I don't think I deserve my own PI thread for it) is two GF's & two GM's ever done?

I have a fairly delicate situation myself.

Edit: just so I'm not a total dick stealing your thread OP. I have a blood relative that never so much as rang me to say happy birthday and who I haven't seen in 8 yeats and it isn't nice. So as for the "overbearing" friend if you think she'll stick with it I say pick her. You don't need to be BFF's for her to send a card to your child or call in to see them.

marzic

it depends on the priest, and it would be better to ask him. For our last baptism we had my two sisters and my sister in law - priest is a youngish man and had no problem whatsoever, but we did ask in advance.