Infant Baptism

For the grace of baptism to unfold, it is important to have the help of godparents. The role of the godfather and godmother, who must be firm believers, must be able and ready to help the newly baptized on the road of Christian life. Godparents officially represent the Church by witnessing what it means to live a baptized life, confirmed in the Holy Spirit, and faithfully participating in the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life. Below are the official requirements of godparents: 

• They must be at least 16 years of age and living a life that is consistent with the function they have been asked to undertake. 
• This means that they have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion. 
• If they are married, this means they are married in the Church. A “civil marriage” by itself does not actually constitute a marriage in any sense for the baptized. 
• Their pastor signs the Godparent Form (in this packet), indicating that they are registered in a Catholic parish, are in good standing with the Church and actively living their faith as disciples of Jesus Christ, and regularly participating in the Sacraments and life of the Church. NOTE: The Godparent Form must be completed and turned in before the Baptism will be scheduled. 
• Through a suitable process of preparation, they are expected to have undergone a conversion in mind and action in a spirit of faith and charity. 
• If there are two Godparents, they must be of the opposite sex. 

You are required to have at least one active, confirmed Catholic Godparent who is in good standing with the Church (see the criteria listed in Question #1 above). 

If a Godparent cannot be present at the Baptism, a proxy should be designated to witness the Baptism itself. As proxies, they should normally meet the same qualifications as Godparents (refer to Question #1 above). They will be listed in the baptismal registry as “proxies”. They must be designated by the godparent, and approved by the parents. 

• If there is only one Godparent, another person may serve as a Christian Witness. A Christian Witness is someone who   simply “witnesses” the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism as a non-Catholic Christian. 
• The Christian Witness is an individual, at least 16 years of age, who has been baptized into Christ in a non-Catholic Christian community. 
• The Christian Witness is not a Godparent, and therefore does not assume the responsibilities of a godparent. 

• Only someone who is a baptized non-Catholic can be a Christian Witness for the Baptism. 
• A Christian Witness cannot be listed as a Godparent because their life does not fully witness to the practice or support of the Catholic way of life to which you, as parents, are professing to your child. NOTE: A Christian Witness must provide some written indication or proof of a valid Baptism (e.g. a baptism certificate) to the Baptismal Coordinator at least two weeks before the scheduled Baptism. 

Please note: if someone was baptized a Catholic and currently claims to “…have left the Catholic Church,” and/or has not yet received the sacrament of Confirmation, then he/she cannot be a Godparent or a Christian Witness. 

Godparents need to submit a copy of the baptismal and confirmation certificates, as well as a marriage certificate if married in the Church. Copies of these documents need to be presented for verification of Godparent Form.