Spin-off to Jenny's thread-- Can someone explain being a Godparent to me?

Can someone explain Godparents to me? I know the basic principal but I was under the understanding that it was OK for one Godparent to be Jewish as long as the other is Catholic.

I was not raised with a religion since my Mom is Jewish and my Dad is catholic.

DH and I have decided when we have children we would like them to be raised Catholic. I would like them to make their sacraments. I of course would like to have my only brother be the Godfather and one of my SIL's be the Godmother. I thought this would be ok even though my brother is in the same situation as me, SIL has made all her sacraments.

Can someone please clarify this for me!!!

Godparents

I don't think both godparents have to be Catholic. I think at least one has to be Christian, but not necessarily of the Catholic faith (ie: can be Protestant)

Only one person has to be Roman Catholic.

For Example, my GodFather is Catholic and my Godmother is Lutheran.

My brother Godmother is Catholic and Godfather is Lutheran.

A Godparent promises to raise and and protect the babies faith in the Catholic Church.

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Posted by 070502


A Godparent promises to protect the babies faith in the Catholic Church.

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I think few people realize this...The actual meaning...It's all about a big party and a fancy gift...Annoys me...

Actually I just edited my post to take out a few words from 070502's post...

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Posted by BMD'sPeanut

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Posted by 070502


A Godparent promises to protect the babies faith in the Catholic Church.

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I think few people realize this...The actual meaning...It's all about a big party and a fancy gift...Annoys me...

Actually I just edited my post to take out a few words from 070502's post...

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Actually that is why I am asking. Since I wasn't raised with either religion just the fun of both, I want my children raised with religion in their lives. I want it to be done right. I think it is very important. There was always something 'missing' in my life because I had no sense of belonging and I don't want my kids to fell like that. I strongly believe that religion helps shape a person and I want my kids to have that!

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Posted by swags1016

Actually that is why I am asking. Since I wasn't raised with either religion just the fun of both, I want my children raised with religion in their lives. I want it to be done right. I think it is very important. There was always something 'missing' in my life because I had no sense of belonging and I don't want my kids to fell like that. I strongly believe that religion helps shape a person and I want my kids to have that!

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I agree with you and what everyone has said. The godparents are supposed to continue the religious upbringing of your child if something happens to you.
Just check with the priest because I'm pretty sure the Catholic godparent also has to have made their sacraments (baptism, Communion and Confirmation)

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Posted by swags1016

Actually that is why I am asking. Since I wasn't raised with either religion just the fun of both, I want my children raised with religion in their lives. I want it to be done right. I think it is very important. There was always something 'missing' in my life because I had no sense of belonging and I don't want my kids to fell like that. I strongly believe that religion helps shape a person and I want my kids to have that!

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That's wonderful. Forgive me for not knowing, but do you have children...Are you expecting?

I agree, check with your parish regarding the religion of the godparents. I know someone who was not allowed to be the godmother for her niece because she was not Catholic. She's Christian, but not Catholic. Every parish does their own thing.

Personally, I wouldn't choose someone who was not Catholic to be a godparent-that's taking away the whole point of the religious aspect of it. But some people don't do it for the religious reasons, they do it for a role model reason or to have a special connection. That's not what I would do but I don't think it's wrong.

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Posted by Jenn524

I agree, check with your parish regarding the religion of the godparents. I know someone who was not allowed to be the godmother for her niece because she was not Catholic. She's Christian, but not Catholic. Every parish does their own thing.

Personally, I wouldn't choose someone who was not Catholic to be a godparent-you're taking away the whole point of the religious aspect of it. But some people don't do it for the religious reasons, they do it for a role model reason or to have a special connection. That's not what I would do but I don't think it's wrong.

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That is the problem though, I have only 1 sibling my brother. I want to honor him too! Not for the sake of a party, but for joining my child to him in more ways than just an uncle. I know that he would take the role on as needed but he also lives in AZ. My SIL lives 10 minutes away and I know would be very involved if and when the time ever came. She is DH's oldest sibling so as tradition goes in his family it would be her. Besides, his only brother (who is Catholic) is not um what you would call the best role model. Let's just put it this way, he was arrest the week before our wedding for doing something lewd in the pool at his complex and wasn't sure he was going to make the wedding and was part of the BP. So I would rather have my brother who would take on what ever role or learning that he would need to.

Did that make sense?

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Posted by swags1016

. So I would rather have my brother who would take on what ever role or learning that he would need to.

Did that make sense?

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Makes sense. You may be able to have your brother but still have a Catholic witness. I think the best thing is to speak to your priest.

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Posted by jenny2penny

makes sense,,but I am a little comfused, who's the godfather???

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Jenny if and when the time comes,

My Brother and DH's sister


Thank you all for the advice. When the time comes I will definitely talk to the priest in the church that my father belongs.

If we needed a witness we could always have DH's sister's husband be the witness!

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Posted by jenny2penny

P.S.
She is in AZ,,,,hopefully they will move to FL and be a little closer. And while I can't just pop in to see her, I still plan on being the best aunt in the world and remember every important day in her life andmake her know how loved she is...even if it is from a distance...QUALITY TIME!!!

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Aw Jenny you will be a wonderful Godmother I am sure about that!!!

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Posted by jenny2penny


I don't think that's true for everyone. We come from a small family and they have few in the state where they are having the baptism. I think it's a big deal and honor.

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I think it's an big deal and an honor too!!
But I find that not everyone necessarily does...It's hard to explain what I mean...

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Posted by BMD'sPeanut
I think few people realize this...The actual meaning...It's all about a big party and a fancy gift...Annoys me...

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OMG, you sound like Margaret from Pre-Cana!!!!