Can a Non-Catholic be a God parent in a Catholic ceremony?

[Lebjwb]

Originally posted by Geezer
Sounds to me like you should live in Iowa or Minnesota!

Generations of my family rest peacefully under Iowa soil.

 

[catsrule]

Yes, only one must be Catholic. My DH isn't Catholic and he is the Godfather to my Great neice Cheyenne.

 

[dennis99ss]

It is a shame that people have lost sight of what a Godparent actually is in the catholic church. It is the person who is to take over the religious education, upbringing, faith, etc. of the child if the parent fails to do so. As I have heard it explained, the Godparent has a duty to attempt to ensure that the child is brought up in the catholic faith, etc. Unfortunately, many people do not take the duty seriously, and even more unfortunate, many parents would be offended if the Godparent stepped up to discuss the subject with them. If you are not ready to take on the responsibility, don't take the job.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Originally posted by dennis99ss
It is a shame that people have lost sight of what a Godparent actually is in the catholic church. It is the person who is to take over the religious education, upbringing, faith, etc. of the child if the parent fails to do so. As I have heard it explained, the Godparent has a duty to attempt to ensure that the child is brought up in the catholic faith, etc. Unfortunately, many people do not take the duty seriously, and even more unfortunate, many parents would be offended if the Godparent stepped up to discuss the subject with them. If you are not ready to take on the responsibility, don't take the job.

Even going back to when I was a kid, the godparent role has always been more of an "honorary" role than an actual religious upbringing duty. This is not something new.

 

[snoopy]

Originally posted by Bob Slydell
Even going back to when I was a kid, the godparent role has always been more of an "honorary" role than an actual religious upbringing duty. This is not something new.

Yeah, that was my experience with my godparents too, Bob. And my family was about as Catholic as you could get. I've been very close with my godparents throughout my life, but their role has been more of surrogate parents than religious mentors. In fact, we just vacationed with them this past June (and I have to admit, did not discuss Catholicism even once!) Sorry if that makes me a heathen!

 

[dennis99ss]

I know its not something new, but, it does give an indication of where we place our priorities.

 

[Bob Slydell]

My godparents are my aunt and uncle, so I see them at most holidays, whether I want to or not.

Ironically enough, my little brother's godparents got divorced when he was 8, so needless to say they never were teaching him much about catholicism. Actually, I think his godmother converted to Lutheran a few years ago, or so I heard.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Originally posted by dennis99ss
It is a shame that people have lost sight of what a Godparent actually is in the catholic church. It is the person who is to take over the religious education, upbringing, faith, etc. of the child if the parent fails to do so. As I have heard it explained, the Godparent has a duty to attempt to ensure that the child is brought up in the catholic faith, etc. Unfortunately, many people do not take the duty seriously, and even more unfortunate, many parents would be offended if the Godparent stepped up to discuss the subject with them. If you are not ready to take on the responsibility, don't take the job.

I agree 100%. The Catholic Church's intent of the godparent role is not a gift-giving role, but a faith-sharing role. It's sad that people make a mockery of the Catholic Church to think that it is just a way for the child to get gifts, money, etc. It should be taken much more seriously than that.

As a dedicated Roman Cathlolic who takes the role of godmother very seriously, it makes me very sad.

 

[JVL1018]

My husband is not Catholic..but was until he was 12 and switched to Presbyterian(which we both are now). The rest of his family(besides his Mom) are all Catholic.
He is godfather to his brother's daughter, the godmother is my SIL's sister. He was never asked by the priest about anything regarding religion, though at the baptism, he he and the godmother were asked if they would make sure the child was raised Catholic should something happen to the parents, and they had to say Yes. (And he would)
Religiously, it was all for show as my BIL and SIL hadn't stepped foot in a Catholic church except for weddings in years, and don;t go to church now. They do send my niece to Catholic school.
It is an honorary thing, he doesn't treat her any more special than he does my brother's kids, no extra gifts.
He never calls her his goddaughter, just his niece.