REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING A GODPARENT OR SPONSOR?

So many people approach us with requests for letters attesting that they fulfill the requirements to be a sponsor (godparents). Here is what is required by canon law:

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.

It is implied in Canon 874 that a Catholic who is married is in a valid Catholic Marriage. 

Lastly, please do not argue, berate or insult any staff person here at St. Lucie concerning these requirements. We are obligated to follow Canon Law, and our office staff is just trying to help you understand these obligations.

  -Fr. Mark