The role of baptismal sponsors and godparents (the names are interchangeable) is to help the parents fulfill their responsibility as Catholic Christian parents.  This means that parents and godparents alike should provide the child with the opportunity to grow in his or her knowledge of the Catholic Christian faith, and to encourage their participation in the life of their faith community.  Clearly, this is a role that continues long after the Baptism ceremony itself.

To best fulfill this role, a sponsor or godparent should be:

• a confirmed Catholic
• living a life befitting the role of a sponsor
• not a parent of the person being baptized
• ordinarily, at least sixteen years of age

It is the responsibility of the parents to choose sponsors who are suitable for this role.  Only one sponsor is required; if two sponsors are chosen, one should be female and the other male.

When circumstances warrant it, a baptized Christian of another denomination as a witness of the Baptism may replace one of these sponsors.  If this is done, there must also be a Catholic sponsor who can execute the full role of a sponsor.

If you have any questions about the role of sponsors or about any special circumstances, please contact Fr. Tim.