Is she responsible for the actual ceremony and/or reception afterwards? What is her role in all this? Is she financially responsible for the ceremony?
2007-07-22 09:13:10 · 5 answers · asked by CJ 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The obligation of a godfather and a godmother is to instruct the child in its religious duties, if the parents neglect to do so or die.
The parents organise the Batism
2007-07-22 09:22:01 · answer #1 · answered by Angel Eyes 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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.
Any other role a godparent takes about the ceremony or reception is either optional or customary in a particular culture.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1255: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.htm
and the Code of Canon law, Canon 872 and following: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P2Y.HTM
With love in Christ.
2007-07-23 00:46:28 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. I'm a godmother to my Catholic nephew and everything is handled by the parents. You might want to get your god child a present for the future but your biggest obligation is to support them in their Catholic journey and to take over if their parents are unable to do so. I am a Buddhist and would still support my godchild if he wanted to stay a Catholic as I was raised Catholic and understand the precepts. The parents schedule the baptism, the after party etc etc
2007-07-22 16:20:44 · answer #3 · answered by Yogini 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The rite itself is explicit as to the role of the god parents. The celebrant addresses the godparents with these words. "god parents are you ready to help these parents in the role as Christian parents". If they agree then they are agreeing to help bring the child up in the catholic faith by teaching them to "love God and neighbor as Christ taught us". often times the role of godparent is seen more as a gift giver for the child. this mind sight is a product of cultural influence rather that catholic theology. God parents have no secular rights or obligations to raise the child if something nefarious happens to the parents. that is the legal role of a guardian and must be spelled out in legal wills. The godparent is not obligated to pay for parties but culturally they do . again do not confuse the cultural with the canonical
2007-07-22 16:27:00 · answer #4 · answered by Deacon Dan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
http://www.catholicdoors.com/courses/godpar.htm has a good explanation of the obligations - I came across it when looking up a G_dparents duties when I was preparing for my G_dson's Christening (High Church in Wales)
Normally you have a spiritual duty to the child not a financial one unless that parents specify otherwise they pay for the service and after party.
My certificate to say I am a G_dmother states:
My Christian responsibility as a G_dparent means that I should:
1) Pray regularly for him.
2) Set him an example of Christian living.
3) Help him grow in the faith of G_d, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in which he is Baptised
4) Give every encouragement to him to follow Christ and fight against evil.
5) Help him to look forward to his confirmation.
2007-07-22 16:26:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋