Noting one of J.F. Gecik's threads from Nov 2000 on godparents in Baptism, and the references to Canon Law, I would like to know whether/how I can have my status as godparent annulled.

I would likely invoke my insuitability to the office of godparent based on 874(1), "have the intention of fulfilling it," and 874(3), "be a Catholic who...lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken."

I am convinced that it would be in the best interests of the baptized child to have a different godparent, and that the parents of the child would readily consent to my no longer being the child's godparent.

Is there some kind of form I can obtain from the diocese? Will it suffice for me to write a letter to the parish of baptism and copy the parents? Is there some vehicle by which the Church provides for this?

Thanks,

Jim

-- Jim Hite (whitejm@aol.com), February 10, 2002

Answers

Jim,
You are seeking to do something that is not possible.
If you were qualified to be a sponsor on the day of the Baptism, and if you were present, then you became the child's sponsor (or one of the sponsors, if there were two). What's done cannot be undone. There cannot be a substitute sponsor named for you today.

It seems that what you actually wish to do now is not live out the responsibility to which you once committed yourself.
We can only pray that you change your mind some day. May I suggest that you go and talk to a priest about why you feel "unsuitable" to be a sponsor. With his counsel and sacramental help (Reconciliation), perhaps you can get beyond the difficulty you are now experiencing.

God bless you.
John

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), February 10, 2002.

Did you fulfill the role before? What do you feel the role consists of? Why did you accept in the first place (many do out of family pressure, i.e. they're "expected" to). Have you moved from the immediate area, and so feel it is more difficult to fulfill that role? Are you questioning your own faith issues?

I only ask because many do not really keep in contact with the godparents (except, sadly to expect gifts from them on every occasion, religious or not), and many parents probably wouldn't have them except that it is required.

You might find a different way to fulfill your role, that benefits both you and the child, more a mentoring role, for instance.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), February 11, 2002.

I actually have the opposite problem, My child's god parent(aunt) has not even seen the child since the date of batizism. I beleive a parent that expresses that god parent is not in a role as a mentor for upbringing whether in character or in faith with good cause , should be able to appoint another god parent, especially if the 1st one or couple chosen accepted under false suitability (i.e. married civically not under the church.) If marriages can be annuled with good cause, why cant the appointment of a godparent?

-- Regina Gilberti (regina.gilberti@chsli.org), May 28, 2002.

I used to teach Baptism Prep in our parish and this point was stressed to the parents of the child being baptised. Choose your child's godparents well, as once it is written down in the records it CANNOT be changed, no matter what the reason. They would get calls in the parish office every week from both sides of the issue (like here in this thread, the parent or the godparent wishing to change), and it cannot be changed.

Parents, choose well. Explain the role to the perspective godparent. Make sure they understand and are willing to accept the responsibility. Do all you can do to make sure that you have choosen well, and then accept that you have done all that you can do.

Godparents, once you have said yes, take the responsibility SERIOUSLY. Live up to the YES that you have said. Once you have said "yes" the responsibility is YOURS not the parent's anymore.

God bless all the little ones being baptised and their parents and godparents.

cksunshine

-- cksunshine (ck_sunshine@hotmail.com), May 28, 2002.