Sponsor

Recently the presbyteral council of Lake and Geauga counties met, one of the topics was the seemingly card-blanc issuance of Sponsor Certificates.  If your asked to be a sponsor for someone outside of your home parish you will be required to have a Sponsors Certificate from your home parish.

You must be a registered member of the parish in order for the certificate to be issued. You’ll have to  complete a “Application for Sponsor Certificate”  (available in the vestibules or on line). 

After the form has been reviewed by Fr. Jay (or the pastor of your parish) and approved will a Sponsor Certificate be issued.  This will require a little more lead-time so don’t procrastinate. 

Planning On Being A Sponsor?

Have you been asked to be a sponsor?  Do you understand what your being asked?
One of the most difficult things about having a child Baptized is picking a Godparent / Sponsor.  When we review the criteria for a sponsor it doesn't seem all that difficult, a fully initiated, Practicing Catholic, in good standing with the Church, simple.

  • Fully Initiated – Confirmed and received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist.

  • Practicing Catholic – Registered in their parish and attends Mass and the Sacraments on a regularly basis.

  • Good Standing with the Church – Not bound by any canonical penalty, legitimately imposed or declared.

Im surprised at how many times new parents call and express that they are having trouble finding a godparent.  A good Christian, a nice guy or gal doesn't meet the criteria for being a sponsor.
The second most popular question is can there be two same sex sponsors?  In a word no, Canon law dictates that there must be “only one male or one female sponsor or one of each sex is to be employed.”  Yes you read that right you are only required to have one sponsor, but traditionally there are two.  You are allowed to have a baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic Ecclesial community only as a witness along with a sponsor meeting the above criteria.

 
 

Canon Law and a Sponsor

Canon 873:
Only one male or one female sponsor or one of each sex is to be employed.

Canon 874:
To be admitted to the role of sponsor, a person must:be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the one who takes their place or, in their absence, by the pastor or minister and is to have the qualifications and intention of performing this role;

  • have completed the sixteenth year, unless a different age has been established by the diocesan bishop or it seems to the pastor or minister that an exception is to be made for a just cause;
  • be a Catholic that has been confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken;
  • not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
  • not be the father or the mother of the one to be baptized.

A baptized person who belongs to a non-Catholic Ecclesial community may not be admitted except as a witness to baptism and together with a Catholic sponsor.