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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Godfather	Bob	Friday, July 4, 2008
Question: Can a priest or religious be a Godparent? Can an individual discerning a priestly or religious vocation become a Godparent?
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear Bob: Sorry about the delay in answering. I had a computer crash and am just now back online. The current 1983 Canon Law does not bar priests and religious from being godparents as did the 1917 Canon law. It makes no mention of this. However, it is not wise for a priest or religious to accept this responsibility. A Godparent is not just a ceremonial position. A Godparent must be in position to assist the parents in any way needed to raise the children in the faith. If the parents fail in their responsibility, the role of the Godparent becomes more critical. The very nature of the responsibilities of a Godparent and the vocation of priest or religious would make it difficult to impossible to serve as Godparent. In addition, while the Canon Law does not explicitly prohibit priests or religious from being Godparents, the local bishop, or religious superior, may prohibit it. As a general rule I would not recommend a priest or religious as a Godparent. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Godfather

Bob

Friday, July 4, 2008

Question:

Can a priest or religious be a Godparent?

Can an individual discerning a priestly or religious vocation become a Godparent?

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Bob:

Sorry about the delay in answering. I had a computer crash and am just now back online.

The current 1983 Canon Law does not bar priests and religious from being godparents as did the 1917 Canon law. It makes no mention of this.

However, it is not wise for a priest or religious to accept this responsibility. A Godparent is not just a ceremonial position. A Godparent must be in position to assist the parents in any way needed to raise the children in the faith. If the parents fail in their responsibility, the role of the Godparent becomes more critical.

The very nature of the responsibilities of a Godparent and the vocation of priest or religious would make it difficult to impossible to serve as Godparent. In addition, while the Canon Law does not explicitly prohibit priests or religious from being Godparents, the local bishop, or religious superior, may prohibit it.

As a general rule I would not recommend a priest or religious as a Godparent.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum