In today’s modern culture the title godparent has become an “honorarium”—recognizing someone special in our lives: a favorite aunt, a best bud from college, or an employer or colleague. But the Church’s definition has not changed, nor has the true, Christ-given role and expectations. First there are criteria for someone to be a godparent, and they are (Canon 874):

• Must be at least 16 years of age.

• Must be a baptized Catholic who has completed the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.

• May not be the parent of the child being baptized.

• If married, must be married in the Catholic Church, regularly attending mass on Sunday, and living their Faith. The two godparents do not have to be married to one another.

• A baptized non-Catholic may not be a godparent but may serve as a Christian witness along with a Catholic godparent.

• Non-baptized persons may not serve as witnesses or godparents

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What about a non-baptized or non-practicing Catholic as a godparent? Honestly, it is about religious freedom and the role of a disciple. We ask the godparent at Baptism if they are able and ready to help the parents of the child to raise them in the ways of faith, promising this before God. How can we ask a non-practicing Catholic to live a Catholic faith life as an example to the child, receiving the Sacraments and grace? Do we ask the godparent to illustrate the importance of Mass if they don’t go? Do we ask them to witness to the faith when they don’t believe it? Do we ask another faith believer to promote ours? I think there’s an issue of religious freedom embedded there?

This can be an issue when someone marries into another faith and gives up their Catholic belief or when our best friend is of another faith, or even when a good person just finds it too busy in life to practice. But all of these personal family issues do not change the reason for Baptism—salvation through Christ—nor should they change what the Church believes, or Christ gave.

The role of a godparent is to help teach and pass on the life-saving faith of Jesus Christ. And it might require us to realize that rather than an honorarium, the godparent role means more than friendship; it means guidance on the path to Eternal Life. And in loving our children, should we not wish to give them all the resources possible to attain that amazing gift?

In these difficult situations, please feel free to raise the issue with me. At Saint Catherine of Siena we want to help parents locate someone willing to take on this Christian act of kindness. And who knows, a powerful friendship might be created. God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good!