I recently Baptised my son and I was having a difficult time picking the god mother, here to find out four months down the line I really regret my decision and It's been bothering me. I don't want my son to grow up with the choice I made, is there any way that I can change the god parent?

Thank you, Carrie

-- Carrie Baumgartner (baumgartner23@core.com), November 08, 2004

Answers

I doubt that such a change would be possible because one of the functions of a baptismal sponsor (godparent) is to serve as an official witness to the fact of Baptism, should any questions arise later. I can say with certainty that someone who was not physically present at the baptism could not later be designated as a witness. Whether another person who was present and who did directly observe the baptism could be so designated after the fact, I am not 100% certain, but I doubt it.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), November 08, 2004.

Carrie, as Paul says once the godmother has fulfilled her duties on the day she can’t be changed. However a godmother’s duties also include looking after the child’s spiritual growth and education in the faith, especially if the parents are unwilling/unable to do so. You don’t say why you regret your choice. I assume it is because you have found out that the godmother does not seem a good role model or would be unable/unwilling to look after your son’s faith development. Do you know someone else who is a good practising Catholic and would be good at the post-baptism duties? You could ask her (perhaps in writing) to help you look after your son’s spiritual growth. And remember when your son is confirmed you (and he) will get another chance to choose an official sponsor in the faith.

-- Steve (55555@aol.com), December 05, 2004.

Godparents and sponsors are a waste of time. They have no authority and are disregarded by the Catholic Church anyway. They are a vestige of what used to be in a Church distancing itself from authentic familes on a daily basis, in anything but words.

See how much the Church listens to a Godparent seeing a marriage destroyed through divorce/annulment when they ask the Church to intervene for the good of their godchild with a parent bent on dismantling their marriage so they can canonical sleep with another, with God's blessing!!!!!

What a joke.

Godparents = meaningless = sponsors= new Church order.

Karl

-- Karl (Parkerkajwen@hotmail.com), December 06, 2004.

It isn't the place of godparents to "intervene" in a divorce/annulment case. And Karl, I hope you don't plan on resuming your previous habit of trying to turn every thread into a commentary on your annulment.

-- Paul M. (PaulCyp@cox.net), December 06, 2004.

Only when they dovetail.

Karl

-- Karl (Parkerkajwen@hotmail.com), December 06, 2004.

Thank you all for your input but I really think a godparent is important in my childs life. Especially when it comes to our faith and how we practice it. I understand that it does start in the home but, I just would have been nice to have somekind of reinforcement by another authority figure. At this time I just don't think that she (the godmother) is ready and willing to be a good role model in my sons life. I did grow up not having godparents involved in my childhood and, I felt kind of left out and that I was missing out on something.

-- Carrie (baumgartner23@core.com), December 07, 2004.