To:  free@long.last Subject:  Re: Response to Godparents Date:  Fri, 01 Dec 2000 14:53:17 -0500Dear SN,

Thank you for your prompt and thorough response to my question.  I did find the answer in the information you provided.  I also have one last question for you.

I understand that the "sponsors" can have stand-in's if they are unable to attend the baptismal.  I beleive this is called "by proxy"?  But since a "Christain Witness" is, by definition, a witness, it seems that they would have to be present personally.  Is that the case?

-- denise mitsuma (ddelucia@hotmail.com), December 02, 2000

Answers

DM,

You are very welcome.
I am not certain of the answer to your new question. You may have to refer it to a canon lawyer in your bishop's chancery office. You see, the current Code of Canon Law does not mention "proxies" with relation to the Sacrament of Baptism. [The 1983 Code DOES mention "marriage by proxy."]
I am not certain if the prior Code (1917), which is now defunct, provided for "baptismal sponsorship by proxy." If it did, perhaps that provision was deliberately removed. A canon lawyer could help you with this and with your further question about the need for the Christian witness to be present.

SN

-- Slave Nolonger (free@long.last), December 02, 2000.

My friend is going to have a baby and she wants me to be the godmother. What are the responsabilities of a godparent? If you could get back to me before April 2002. I would greatly appriciate it. Thank you.

Lisa

-- Lisa Dawn Ridgeway (rkaelynsenwater@aol.com), December 13, 2001.

Hello, Lisa.
Congratulations on being chosen to be the baby's sponsor.

I suggest that you speak to your pastor for a fuller answer to your question. As is true at many parishes, he may have a pamphlet or booklet to give you about Baptism and the duties of parents and sponsors (known informally as "godparents").

Meanwhile, I think that you will be able to glean some good information from this short Catholic newspaper article.

God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), December 13, 2001.