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shadows
LIF Adult
Member since 1/10 4694 total posts
Name:
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Church requirements to be godmother?
I know this will vary a lot from parish to parish - but what types of requirements do churches generally have for someone to be godmother?
I made all my sacraments but haven't gone to church in years and don't live in the same state as my old parish anymore. My dad is still active at that church though so hopefully he can help if I need any type of documentation...
I also don't live in the state where the baby lives/baptism will be held. So I hope there aren't classes to attend or anything?
For what it's worth, I'm guessing the church doing the baptism is fairly liberal because the fellow they asked to be godfather is gay (which I did not know the Catholic Church would allow  ? But maybe I'm not up to date at this point.)
I'm sure obviously the baby's mom will tell me what I need to do, but I'm curious what is typical.
Thanks!
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Posted 4/3/16 4:08 PM  |
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ChristinaM128
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 4043 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
For my parish, at least one godparent needs to be catholic and the other needed to be Christian. They just asked what church they were baptized in. Both godparents for dd1 hadn't stepped into a church in about 20 years (except for weddings), and one was from out of state. My parish didn't care.
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| Posted 4/3/16 4:19 PM |
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OhBoyorGirl
LIF Adult
Member since 2/12 1788 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
My godson lives in FL. I did have to take a class, but I was able to take it up here and then the church here gave me a certificate to have mailed down to their church in FL. Not all parishes require classes though. You may have to provide documentation of your sacraments, but again, not all parishes require that either.
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| Posted 4/3/16 4:19 PM |
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shadows
LIF Adult
Member since 1/10 4694 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
Thank you for the quick replies. I am relieved already 
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| Posted 4/3/16 4:25 PM |
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MichLiz213
Life is Good!
Member since 7/07 7979 total posts
Name:
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Church requirements to be godmother?
It varies.
The church we were married in said if any of them were married, it had to be in a catholic church. That cut my brother out. The church closest to us said as long as they were confirmed it was fine. The church by my ILs, the one DH made his sacraments in, said they need a letter from our original church saying it was ok for them to baptize our child.
We went with the second option.
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| Posted 4/3/16 4:32 PM |
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Jenn79
One more?
Member since 2/12 2410 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
I had both my children baptized in a Catholic Church. The second was a year ago. There were no requirements. Now my sister is trying to get her ds baptized and the same church is requiring any godparent to be a Catholic having received all their sacraments and I need to get a paper signed by a priest. My sister was told that every church in Nassau and Suffolk are doing this. I'm not so sure I believe it though. Regardless, I'm now the only godparent for my nephew because she has no one else that meets these requirements.
Message edited 4/3/2016 8:24:53 PM.
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| Posted 4/3/16 7:33 PM |
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JennZ
MY LIFE!!
Member since 8/05 25463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
I don't believe in God, have none of the sacraments and am godmother 2 times, both Catholic churches.
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| Posted 4/3/16 8:08 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7272 total posts
Name:
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Church requirements to be godmother?
Mine don't have to do anything, though both godparents received communion and confirmation in the church we're baptizing dd in. Only one has to be Catholic, the other just has to be Christian.
It all depends on the church. My church is very lenient.
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| Posted 4/3/16 9:20 PM |
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gina409
TWINS!
Member since 12/09 27635 total posts
Name:
g
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
When my sisters were godparents to my twins they had to do nothing
When my sister was godparent to my niece. She had to attend a class
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| Posted 4/3/16 10:07 PM |
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HomeIsWithU
Baby #2 on the way!
Member since 9/07 7816 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
When I became a Godmother to my niece, I didn't have to do anything. I am confirmed but I didn't have to show any proof or attend a class of any type.
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| Posted 4/4/16 8:53 AM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
In my church one godparent had to be catholic and the other christian or catholic. We picked DH's cousin who lives in FL to be DD's godmother. We just had to fill out a form that lists what their local parish is.
ETA the godparents in my church do not need to attend a class, but the parents do
Message edited 4/4/2016 8:57:59 AM.
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| Posted 4/4/16 8:57 AM |
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MrsH2009
Thank you St. Gerard!
Member since 8/09 6631 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
At least one of ours had to be Catholic and received sacraments, and if married be married in Catholic church, the other had to be Christian. My sister is Catholic and my BIL is Greek Orthodox and both were fine. I was my sister's confirmation sponsor and for that there was a form where I had to write the name of the church where I was a member, not sure if they ever checked though.
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| Posted 4/4/16 9:28 AM |
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Church requirements to be godmother?
They needed to be Baptized. We had to attend a class that they requested the Godparents did as well but we informed the church that wasn't possible and they said ok. You'll be fine. CONGRATS
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| Posted 4/4/16 11:05 AM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
I am not religious in any capacity, and I apologize if I am hijacking this thread, but can someone explain what the role is of a godmother/godfather? A PP said she is an atheist and still is a twice a godmother. I thought the point was that you were agreeing to raise the child in the catholic church if the parents pass away?
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| Posted 4/4/16 11:10 AM |
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OhBoyorGirl
LIF Adult
Member since 2/12 1788 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
Posted by Chai77
I am not religious in any capacity, and I apologize if I am hijacking this thread, but can someone explain what the role is of a godmother/godfather? A PP said she is an atheist and still is a twice a godmother. I thought the point was that you were agreeing to raise the child in the catholic church if the parents pass away?
Yes, that is exactly the point.....
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| Posted 4/4/16 11:36 AM |
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JennZ
MY LIFE!!
Member since 8/05 25463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
Posted by Chai77
I am not religious in any capacity, and I apologize if I am hijacking this thread, but can someone explain what the role is of a godmother/godfather? A PP said she is an atheist and still is a twice a godmother. I thought the point was that you were agreeing to raise the child in the catholic church if the parents pass away?
That's me. It's the godparents job to make sure the parents religious wishes are followed through. I am an atheist and would still make sure the parents wishes were followed. I don't have to agree with it.
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| Posted 4/4/16 12:07 PM |
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jerrysgirl
I love my hot dog!!
Member since 6/06 5357 total posts
Name:
E & J
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
Posted by HomeIsWithU
When I became a Godmother to my niece, I didn't have to do anything. I am confirmed but I didn't have to show any proof or attend a class of any type.
Same.. It depends on the parish.
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| Posted 4/4/16 12:41 PM |
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APT910
Let It Be
Member since 2/11 5021 total posts
Name:
Ashley
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
My church told us that both godparents had to be catholic and one had to be confirmed but they didn't ask for any proof. My brother, DS's godfather, is gay but I'm not sure how the church would have any issue with that..or how they would even know.
I'm going to be my cousin's son's godmother later this month and I had to get a paper signed by my church stating that I am a registered parishioner but I don't have to attend any classes.
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| Posted 4/4/16 12:46 PM |
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marianne13
LIF Adolescent
Member since 6/10 887 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
Posted by Chai77
I am not religious in any capacity, and I apologize if I am hijacking this thread, but can someone explain what the role is of a godmother/godfather? A PP said she is an atheist and still is a twice a godmother. I thought the point was that you were agreeing to raise the child in the catholic church if the parents pass away?
I think being a godparent is more of an honorary role. The godparents are not automatically the ones who raise a child if the parents pass. Parents usually name the guardians if they should pass away in their will. They may be the same people as the godparents and may not. A child may have 2 godparents who don't know each other and each child may have totally different godparents than their siblings.
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| Posted 4/5/16 10:19 AM |
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Jenn79
One more?
Member since 2/12 2410 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
Posted by marianne13
Posted by Chai77
I am not religious in any capacity, and I apologize if I am hijacking this thread, but can someone explain what the role is of a godmother/godfather? A PP said she is an atheist and still is a twice a godmother. I thought the point was that you were agreeing to raise the child in the catholic church if the parents pass away?
I think being a godparent is more of an honorary role. The godparents are not automatically the ones who raise a child if the parents pass. Parents usually name the guardians if they should pass away in their will. They may be the same people as the godparents and may not. A child may have 2 godparents who don't know each other and each child may have totally different godparents than their siblings.
This is from the paper that I needed to get signed by my priest. I believe it's a new thing within the last 3 months that a lot of Catholic Churches on Long Island are implementing.
From the diocese of Rockville center "The role of sponsor is an important one for the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. Today some may see the role as honorary, but the Church sees the sponsor, popularly called a godparent, as a fully-initiated Catholic who actively supports the newly Baptized or Confirmed by good example and instruction in the Christian life."
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| Posted 4/5/16 1:38 PM |
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WonderLady
LIF Infant
Member since 1/15 355 total posts
Name:
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Church requirements to be godmother?
I think part of the issue is that people who aren't practicing Christians kind of just do the sacraments bc it's just what they're used it. It's become more cultural or just traditional than religious. Then, picking godparents is sort of like fun. I'm not knocking it really, just saying that many people in our generation who are baptizing their kids really have nothing more to do with church. So it just sort of gets looser and looser. I think the church, in its desire to gain popularity, was sort of just letting it slide. They just want to get people in the door and sustain everything as best they can, kwim? Now I guess they are trying to pull back a bit with that official statement, which imo does make sense.
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| Posted 4/6/16 9:16 AM |
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pinkiegirl
Member since 7/07 2160 total posts
Name:
Dana
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
My church required that both godparents get a letter from the church where they recieved confirmation..
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| Posted 4/6/16 10:28 AM |
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shadows
LIF Adult
Member since 1/10 4694 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
Posted by pinkiegirl
My church required that both godparents get a letter from the church where they recieved confirmation..
I'm really hoping I just have to do something like this. I will be so sad if I can't be the godmother 
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| Posted 4/6/16 10:46 AM |
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Xelindrya
Mommy's little YouTube Star!
Member since 8/05 14470 total posts
Name:
Veronica
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
Posted by JennZ
Posted by Chai77
I am not religious in any capacity, and I apologize if I am hijacking this thread, but can someone explain what the role is of a godmother/godfather? A PP said she is an atheist and still is a twice a godmother. I thought the point was that you were agreeing to raise the child in the catholic church if the parents pass away?
That's me. It's the godparents job to make sure the parents religious wishes are followed through. I am an atheist and would still make sure the parents wishes were followed. I don't have to agree with it.
This. I am also Atheist. I don't have to believe in your faith to raise your child in that faith and I take that job seriously. It's not just an 'honorary title' to me. Perhaps because to me faith really is that important.
If something were to happen to my godchild's mother, I would be sure that her wishes, her faith and her ideas were continued to her son. That is my JOB as godmother. She trusts me to do that.
Because I'm atheist I'm more than capable of defending her faith because I know all the pitfalls. I don't have to believe in the fairy tale to know the story or to teach it. I can easily use it to mold her child into a good member of society and his church.
Ironically people always assume I am of some Christian faith anyway LOL
To be fair.. I REALLY disagree with her beliefs recently since she thinks homosexuals are a plague and strives to keep her son from exposure to 'them'. She also knows I have friends who are gay and transgender. She knows I'd never talk about them in front of him or take him near them because SHE is his mother. Your kid, your rules. Can't lie.. I'm very glad to say she's still alive and kicking and he's nearly a teenager. But it's a commitment I made and one I'll honor.
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| Posted 4/6/16 11:29 AM |
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butterfly20
Party of 5 - 2015
Member since 4/06 7390 total posts
Name:
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Re: Church requirements to be godmother?
our Catholic church tightened up on requirements recently... between each of our three kids...
Now they ask for a signed form stating that you will help guide the baby and a copy of the confirmation certificate, which if you don't have handy you just tell them the name of the church and they will request it for you.
There was only a class for the parents, not Godparents before hand.
One Godparent didn't have to be Catholic, which we did with our last kid. Then they asked for something from that church(I forget what).
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| Posted 4/6/16 10:33 PM |
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