Can someone gay be a godparent (for Catholics)?

Answer 1

+ Godparents +

The role of the godfather and/or godmother is very important. They must be firm Catholic believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized—child or adult—on the road of Christian life.

To ensure this, a godparent must be at least 16 years old (for maturity's sake), fully initiated (having received Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist), be someone other than the legal parents, and one who leads a life in harmony with the Church.

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.htm
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P2Y.HTM

+ Homosexuality +

The Catholic Church believes there is nothing sinful about being homosexual. But homosexuals like all unmarried people are called to celibacy.

The Church specifically says that homosexuals "must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."

http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art6.htm#2357

+ Homosexual Godparent +

Putting these two teachings together:

A celibate single homosexual person would be as eligible for godparent as a celibate single heterosexual person.

A sexually active single homosexual person would be as ineligible for godparent as a sexually active single heterosexual person.

+ With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I would ask the gay people if they can live up to there being a Godparent , its up to the Godparent to bring up the child in the faith of the parents when they die. What morals would they teach children when they become Godparents? Godparents are to be picked by the faith of the parent, one who shows good creature in Godliness, and have a faith full approach to the faith of the parents, not because of friendship. Morals, and faith, are to be taught, what do you think?
Gay people do not believe in the same God as Catholics,
Ask your priest.
Godparents are challenged by the head of the Church to be leaders of the word of God, to live by Gods laws, not the laws of man, I think if your asking for yourself, your have no relationship with God or you would know what he would say.

Answer 3

I love these questions; they make me look things up! The official role of the godparent in the Catholic church (& prob most christian churches) is to help the newly baptized on the road to a christian life. I think that it has probably become more of an "honorary" title these days given by the parents to someone who is important to them.
I imagine that the priest is free to deny the honor if he feels he has a good reason to do so and there are probably priests, especially after today's scandals, who would refuse to allow it.

Answer 4

When we had our daughter baptized the only requirement was that one of her two Godparents be a practicing Catholic. Beyond that it didn't matter, the only thing they are worried about is that your Godparent's beliefs mirror yours or that they will respect that you are wanting your child to be raised Catholic and that they will continue to do so should you die.

Answer 5

ok so here's a bit trivia for ya. a Godparent is someone who you pick beacuse they have a good relationship with God and you want your child to learn from them and emulate that relationship. In the strictest sense, a 'good' catholic would not choose a gay person as a Godparent beacuse they are 'living in sin". This is not my personl beliefe, but what i have known as an ex-catholic.
I would personally, if that person had a good relationship with my chosen deity, as I would want my child to learn from that. It's really how you see that other person's relationship with your creator. hope that helps.

Answer 6

I'd be concerned about the individual - their ability to care, nurture, provide, love, and give the kids all the healthy emotional stuff to have a healthy adulthood. For me, these aspects are the most fundamental considerations. Religion... maybe next. Sexual orientation of the god parents isn't something I'd worry about.

FYI - short, mid, and long term studies all show that children of gay parents are as well adjusted emotionally, physically, and psychologically as kids of heterosexuals. In fact, the kids don't end up gay with any greater frequency than those of straight parents. In other words, as far as child rearing goes, parental sexual orientation is a complete non-issue.

Answer 7

A word of caution, if you are in fact gay, do not reveal your true nature to the priest. However, if friends ask you to be a godparent to their child, I don't see why your sexual orientation should become an issue. What you do in that respect is your business and yours alone.

Answer 8

The answer is yes but there is an IF:

When the priest asks you the "only" question-

"Are you in an unmarried relationship (and he will not mention homosexuality here!)".

If you are gay (even if you are practising homosexual acts) you can simply say no and you will be fine. The case you are practising homosexual acts casually with different people ( please don't forget this would be a SIN if a heterosexual man or woman practice heterosexual acts casually with different or same person without marriage) IS TOTALLY irrelevant here because he is asking you if you are partnered or not. If you are not partnered, you are not lying indeed and you qualify to become a god father. Simple logic! I will not get into the discussion how your homosexual acts are relevant to living a Christ oriented Catholic Church governed life...

But "IF" you are gay and you are in a relationship will you in fact lie here and would you refuse your loving ( or not loving) relationship with your partner in front your loving or not loving God? If you do so yes again you will qualify to become a god father as the priest could not care less about your private life and would not ask questions about it.

If you say you are partnered and live with a person (same or opposite sex) without "religious" marriage, he will decline you. He MUST decline you! this is the law of the Catholic Church.

I think it is very clear and you can guess the rest of the story without me writing here my fantastically blessing(!) ideas about people who are gay, practising homosexuality, and lies to the priest simply to be able make their family members or friends happy. The Church ( regardless of its denomination) is not a theatre or a West end Show. Please don't lie to your selves before lying to your God :)

With Love...

Answer 9

I would assume it would be up to the parents. And how would the church know? They don't interview the godparents before the actual baptism do they?

Answer 10

Someone who is openly living against Catholic teachings is discouraged from becoming a Godparent.