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shadrach
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| Joined: | Mon Jan 8th, 2007 |
| Location: | Brooklyn, New York USA |
| Posts: | 3 |
| First Name: | Gary | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Too many |
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Posted: Thu Jan 11th, 2007 11:11 am |
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Are godparents a necessity for baptism?
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Katy
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | DFW, Texas USA |
| Posts: | 78 |
| First Name: | Katy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Non-denom/Bible churches, Catholic since Easter 2005 |
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Posted: Thu Jan 11th, 2007 01:56 pm |
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shadrach wrote: Are godparents a necessity for baptism?
Yes, to be baptized in the Catholic Church, you need at least one praticing Catholic in good standing with the Church as a Godparent.
If you are wondering if a previous baptism in a different church without Godparents is valid, it probably is, but you would need to speak to the RCIA director about the details and provide proof of your previous baptism.
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Lord, by Your cross and resurrection, You have set us free. You are the Savior of the World.
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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Fri Jan 19th, 2007 07:17 pm |
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Godparents would only be for children who are being baptized not adults. Correct? I'm assuming the reason for Godparents is that they will raise the child if the parents die. Correct?
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Jan 19th, 2007 08:21 pm |
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Darlene, a sponsor is still required for an adult who is to be baptized. The names may be different, but the canonical function is basically the same.
David
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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Sat Jan 20th, 2007 04:19 pm |
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David,
What is the purpose for a sponsor? Does the catechumen pick their sponsor or is one chosen for them? If chosen for them, what happens if the catechumen does not think it is a good match?
I don't have a sponsor as yet, but I think that is because I intend to continue taking RCIA classes next year and Lord wiiling, if all goes as I desire, to become a member of the Catholic Church during Easter 2007.
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Jan 21st, 2007 01:05 am |
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Purpose of the sponsor: A sponsor is a fully initiated Catholic who will serve as a companion, listener and mentor. The sponsor will also help the one being baptized or confirmed to learn more about the parish and ways to live out the Catholic faith. As stated above, the canonical function of a godfather/godmother for children is the same as the sponsor of an adult who is to receive baptism or confirmation, although they must be adapted to the particular situation.
Who chooses the sponsor? For adults, ordinarily the catechumen or candidate. If for any reason he cannot do this, then one is usually provided. Considering that the requirements to be a sponsor are rather strict, it should be rare that there is any objection to an assigned sponsor. On what grounds would such an objection be raised?
My own baptismal sponsor was chosen for me at the last moment, since it was only at the last moment that it was decided that I would be baptized instead of received into the Church on recognition of my prior baptism. I did not know him beforehand. (My Methodist baptism was ruled invalid after I had submitted evidence of anomaly, and being a teenaged convert without family approval, I did not know any adult Catholics in the parish.) My (one and only) Catholic uncle was my sponsor for confirmation a year later. In neither case was there much for them to do besides stand for me at the celebration of the sacrament and later, on occasion, provide me a bit of companionship and encouragement until I was fully integrated into the local Catholic community.
David
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
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Posted: Sun Jan 21st, 2007 01:42 am |
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In the case of an infant, the godparent/sponsor has the additional responsibility of helping to assure that the child is raised and educated in the Catholic faith. In the past, in lieu of a will, the selection of a godparent has been used in courts in trying to determine the custody of a child who's parents have died, since the godparent is chosen by the parents. The godparent should also be a close enough friend or family member that the godparent will establish and maintain a relationship with the child at least through confirmation, and may often stand as the confirmation sponsor as well.
Of course, this is not an issue in RCIA. In this case, the godparent/sponsor is more of a prayer partner who, hopefully, will establish a close enough relationship with the candidate/catechumen as to become a confidant on the faith journey. The godparent/sponsor should also be someone who is willing to attend RCIA sessions with the candidate/catechumen, to accompany him to church and invite him to parish functions, to introduce him to the parish community, and ultimately to recommend him to the bishop and the parish for membership in the Church. (Male gender used for simplicity...) In the case of an adult in RCIA, a sponsor selected by the parish is often preferable to one selected by the participant.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Darlene
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
| Posts: | 868 |
| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Sun Jan 21st, 2007 02:40 pm |
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David,
What do you mean by evidence of anomaly?
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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David W. Emery
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Posted: Sun Jan 21st, 2007 04:52 pm |
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An anomaly is an abnormality or irregularity. In my case, the Protestant minister did the ritual by dipping his hand in the baptismal font. He then shook the water off and placed his hand on my head. The result was no water. And thus no baptism, because water is required. It was not valid even by Methodist standards.
David
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