Congratulations on being chosen to be a child's Godparent
or Confirmation Sponsor!

• Since baptism is the initial, foundational sacrament in the life of a Catholic, the child's parents have put great thought into deciding who will serve as a godparent.
•  As a Confirmation sponsor, you have accepted a responsibility that is an honor in our Church. Your role is to spiritually walk with the candidate during the preparation for the sacrament. You will be assisting the young person in being a true witness and disciple of Jesus, and representing the community when you present your candidate to the bishop. Your special role does not end at the Confirmation liturgy; you will help the young person fulfill his or her baptismal promises after Confirmation with the help of the Holy Spirit. 
• These guidelines are meant to assist parents in making a decision as to who will fulfill this critical role for their child.
• To be a godparent for baptism, an individual must be a practicing Catholic, at least 16 years of age and have received the Sacraments of Initiation (i.e. Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation).
• If this person is married, then the marriage must be a valid, sacramental marriage (i.e. one recognized and blessed by the Catholic Church).
• The potential godparent must be registered in a Catholic parish and able to obtain from his or her parish priest a letter of eligibility to be a godparent.
• Only one godparent—a man or a woman—is required by church law. However, if two godparents are selected (the more common practice), then there must be one man and one woman chosen. In other words, a child cannot have two men or two women as godparents.
• In extraordinary situations when two Catholic godparents cannot be found, then a baptized person who belongs to another Christian denomination (e.g. Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian) may serve as a Christian Witness. However, former Catholics who have left the Catholic Church for another Christian denomination are not permitted to serve as Christian Witnesses.
• The above information on godparents is provided by the Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church and, as such, may not be changed.