Can a non Christian be a godparent?

While the secular interpretation of godparent is a bit of a free-for-all, the Christian interpretation is not. To be a godparent to a Catholic child, you have to be a baptised, practising Catholic (although a baptised person from another denomination can serve as an “official witness”).

Can an atheist be a Catholic godparent?

An atheist can be a wonderful influence in a child’s life, but being a godparent is to be a representative of the religious community and an example of godly living (which is why they should be baptised and preferably confirmed), in addition to supporting them socially.

Can you be a godparent if you’re atheist?

Yes, an atheist can be a godparent. However, there are very strict churches that will not allow parents to pick a godparent who is not aligned with their religion.

Can a non Christian be a Catholic godparent?

Baptized non-Catholic Christians may not be “official” godparents for the record book, but they may be Christian witnesses for your child. People who are not baptized Christians cannot be sponsors for baptism, since they themselves are not baptized.

What does a godfather do at a baptism?

In the modern baptism of an infant or child, the godparent or godparents make a profession of faith for the person being baptized (the godchild) and assume an obligation to serve as proxies for the parents if the parents either are unable or neglect to provide for the religious training of the child, in fulfillment of …

What is a godfather non-religious?

In the non-religious version, a godparent is basically a glorified version of an aunt or uncle — someone who forms a more special bond with your kid. Based on the definition of godparents, it would make sense to have a sibling or relative because the person who is the godparent is meant more as a spiritual guide.

Do you have to believe in God to be a godfather?

The only technical qualification for being a godparent is that you must be baptised yourself. But during most ceremonies you are asked to turn to Christ, declare your belief in the Christian faith, and bring the child up in that faith by your prayers, example and teaching.

What is a guide parent?

A guide parent is someone you invite to have an enduring relationship with your child. They could be considered to be the non-religious equivalent of a ‘godparent’, in that they both make promises to a child during a naming ceremony.

Who can be a godfather in the Catholic Church?

Roman Catholic Church A godparent must normally be an appropriate person, at least sixteen years of age, a confirmed Catholic who has received the Eucharist, not under any canonical penalty, and may not be the parent of the child.

How do I choose a godfather?

Godparents must be chosen by the parents or guardian and cannot be the child’s mother or father. They should also be at least 16 years old and must be an active member of the church who has received the sacraments of confirmation and communion.

What does a godfather say during baptism?

As your Godparent, on your special day, I am honored and feel blessed to be a part of your future. For you, I’ll do my best. May the grace and blessings you receive from God, guide you throughout your life! I am honored and blessed to be your Godparent, and look forward to a special relationship with you!

Can a non-Catholic serve as a witness to a baptism?

Can a non-Catholic serve as a godparent? A baptized, non-Catholic may serve as an “official witness” to the baptism, only if there is a proper Catholic sponsor who fully meets all requirements of a godparent. The non-Catholic who is selected as a witness should be an active and participating member of his/her church community.

Who can be a godparent in the Catholic Church?

A godparent should be a confirmed, Catholic Christian who is at least 16 years of age, and who faithfully practices and believes in the Catholic faith as a participating member of a parish community. How many godparents should there be? Church law only requires you to have one godparent; however, it has been tradition to have two.

Is baptism a part of the Muslim faith?

Not really, baptism isn’t part of the Muslim faith. The service of baptism for an infant is a process of dedicating the child to the service of God and then later in life the baptism is the means of making an adult decision to enter the faith of Christianity. Muslims do not have the equivalent for someone born into the faith.

What happens if a godparent cannot attend the baptism ceremony?

If a godparent cannot attend the baptism ceremony, a proxy can stand in the place of the missing godparent. The name of that person will be entered as “proxy” in the Sacramental Record Book, along with the name of the missing godparent.