I was asked to be a godmother... Help!?

Question

I was raised Catholic until I was 14, when I voluntarily renounced to all religions for many discrepancies between my beliefs and religions in general. I believe in God. Now my sister wants me to be her daughter's godmother. I believe this is very important but I don't know where to start. My other niece is christened catholic.

My other niece also had a Spiritist ceremony (that is my brother-in-laws family's faith).

Answer 1

My sister chose me to be my nephew's godmother. He was baptized in the Catholic Church and I am a pagan.

I asked her why she chose me, of all people! Her answer was that I was a spiritual person and I have a good knowledge of many faiths. (comparative religion studies in college & hobby)
She felt that my nephew would benefit from someone who was understanding and tolerant. He can (and has) asked me lots of questions about the divine and we have lots of discussions, some that were really cool & some that were cute & funny!

I take him to church when she asks me.

Just listening and being there for your neice is a tremendous help to your sister (and your neice) Being a godmother has strenghtened my relationship with my nephew. My sister appreciates the help and she's happy with her choice.

Don't worry to much about it. Your job will be fun and you will both learn from each other. Just share what you know and let her ask you questions. Good luck and enjoy it!

Answer 2

I would just say I am not wanting to break your feelings but I don't think I can take this offer because, I don't believe in the same as your Church does. I doubt your church will let me be a Godmother to the child. However, Godmother means a few meanings one at baptism and one when a child is mother and fatherless they will go to the God parents. I would invite your sister over for some tea or coffee and cake and sit down and talk what you feel and see if you can find someone else in the family or friends that will be her childs God mother.

Answer 3

I am amazed at how many people think that a "godparent" takes the child in the event of something happening to the parents. Totally and completely wrong. A previous poster before me got it right. Your job as a godparent simply means that you will assist those parents offering yourself to be a spiritual guide for the child to come to know God, His Son Jesus, and to help that child live a godly life. Your position should be to help counsel that child in Godly ways and to take their religious education very seriously yourself. This is a wonderful thing to have bestowed upon you, as long as you take as serious as it is really meant to be. Yes, you can have all the good times and fun with the child as another poster proclaimed, but being a godparent means far more than lunches and trips to mall. If you are believer, and you love Christ, then by all means, accept this request. If anything less, than politely explain to your sister that you don't feel you are up to this task.

Answer 4

I believe that you should still be Catholic, if you are going before the church and promising to bring the child up in the Catholic faith.

Before you say no to your sister, I would try going back to church and see if you feel any different about it. Try a few different churches and see if any seem to "feel right."

I'm sure your need to do soul searching at 14 is not the same as now.

Answer 5

As a godmother for a Roman Catholic child, you are required to promise to bring that child up in the faith, should anything happen to the parents. Since you have cast your faith away, I doubt you could honestly make that promise with comfort. Just tell your sister you are honored, but no longer qualified. YBIC

Answer 6

if you are not a practicing catholic you can"t do this being a god parent does NOT mean you get the child if something happens you would be taking on the "responsibility" of a spiritual parent to help see to the religious needs of your goddaughter. My daughter waited for me to enter the church so that I could be the godfather to my granddaughter. What a blessing. If you really believe talk to your priest he will gladly help you and I say pls. come home

Answer 7

A godmother is expected to take over if anything happens to the parents. However the church will want a godmother that will raise the child in the admonition of the Lord.

Maybe that will be a problem for you. You would be expected to see that she was in church if anything happened to the parents.

Answer 8

if your niece is being baptized Roman Catholic, you cannot be her Godmother since you need to be a Roman Catholic in good standing with your parish.

Answer 9

Is this child to be Catholic? How can you agree to help guide this child on a spiritual path you believe to be false? Wouldn't that be dishonest?

Answer 10

<> then you definately won't be able to be godparent. in basic terms lively working in direction of Catholics could be godparents. you could actually stand with the kin as an official baptism witness. you would be with the godparent(s), yet no longer a godparent your self. <> properly, they are going to be sorting out extremely quickly which you have left the Church. <> in case you're no longer a Catholic? the respond is obtrusive - confident it incredibly is incorrect! <> What alleged hypocrisy do you communicate of? all people likes to accuse Catholics and Catholicism of "hypocrisy" yet no person ever has any examples. <> No, you won't be able to. <> Wel, you spot, that's what a godparent IS! that's what a godparent DOES! <> does not the Bible say something approximately "sins being shouted from the rooftops"? You having left the Church is, for sure, a secret you have been protecting from the the remainder of your loved ones. everybody on your loved ones is approximately to be certain, in grand style, which you're no longer any further a Catholic.