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mamochk
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/06 379 total posts
Name:
Alison
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Godfather question....
ok, so I have a question, not sure if anyone out there can help me.... I also posted this on the pregnancy board....
My DH and I are having our 1st baby in July. We already know that my sister will be the godmother, and he wants one of his brothers as godfather.... the Problem....
My DH and his siblings were only baptized catholic, and then his parents never went any further. SO I called 2 churches and they said that the godparents have to had made there confirmation. I know for a fact his brother wont be taking any classes, to do this.. Unfortunately he's 27 and not married and just living his life the way he wants to, but he is still my DH brother....
Has anyone ever heard of a sponsor person, where that person wouldn't be on the baptismal certificate but we would tell him that he his our child's godfather and just explain the situation to him....
We really have no one else to be the godfather, nor do we want anyone else....
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Posted 4/27/08 8:53 AM  |
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Melbernai
I am a lucky Momma!
Member since 7/05 15652 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Godfather question....
My DD's godfather was only baptised episcipalian, nothing further. The church told us that only one of the godparents had to have completed all of their catholic sacrements, and I belive we had to sign papers agreeing to raise our daughter catholic.
I think all churches are a little different but I have heard of this a LOT so check your church.
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| Posted 4/27/08 8:55 AM |
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jaclyn78
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/06 635 total posts
Name:
Jaclyn
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Re: Godfather question....
Same as me. Our church said that only one godparent had to have made the required sacraments. But, to be perfectly honest, they never asked for papers or anything. My brothers church also needed just one "catholic" godparent. I would double check just to make sure. It would be a shame if your BIL couldn't be the godfather. Good luck!
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| Posted 4/27/08 9:13 AM |
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meganNbobby
Our Family is Complete
Member since 5/05 2774 total posts
Name:
Megan
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Re: Godfather question....
our church never asked us anything to prove the godparents were catholic, they are but was only asked their names.
i know for a fact another friend of mine had a protestant godfather and no one ever asked a question.
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| Posted 4/27/08 9:25 AM |
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mamochk
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/06 379 total posts
Name:
Alison
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Re: Godfather question....
I called 2 parishes and they said that one needed to be catholic, making all there sacraments (which would be my sister), but the witness could be a christian witness....
Since my BIL was already baptized "catholic", thats what he is considered....
The entire situation really stinks, and I feel bad for my DH, cause he really wants him to be the godfather....
When we got married my DH took an 8 week course so he could make his confirmation, and then we were able to marry in the catholic church. I KNOW my BIL wouldn't do this.... and it's not his fault,cause when they were little there parents left it up to them to make whatever religious decision they wanted when they grew up, but they don't have any idea now....
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| Posted 4/27/08 9:29 AM |
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dpli
Daylight savings :)
Member since 5/05 13973 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Godfather question....
Technically, he would be a Christian witness, but if you referred to him as the godfather, no one would know the difference. 
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| Posted 4/27/08 9:50 AM |
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jprimrose
I love my little munchkins!
Member since 10/05 3939 total posts
Name:
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Re: Godfather question....
Posted by Melbernai
My DD's godfather was only baptised episcipalian, nothing further. The church told us that only one of the godparents had to have completed all of their catholic sacrements, and I belive we had to sign papers agreeing to raise our daughter catholic.
I think all churches are a little different but I have heard of this a LOT so check your church.
Same here. The church we batised our DS at said only one godparent had to be catholic. They did not even ask for proof that either one of them were catholic. I thought they would want to see the baptism and confirmation certificate for at least one of the godparents but they didn't. I do not even think we had to sign anything.
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| Posted 4/27/08 11:50 AM |
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luvmyReese
Hello Kitty
Member since 1/08 7542 total posts
Name:
Catt
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Re: Godfather question....
We are not having any Godparents...its easier that way. We are asking our family and friends help us guide and support our daughter, Reese thru her life.....
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| Posted 4/27/08 12:47 PM |
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Hershey
LIF Adolescent
Member since 1/07 557 total posts
Name:
Marci
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Re: Godfather question....
Only one godparent has to be catholic so if your sister has been confirmed your brother in law dosen't have to be.
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| Posted 4/27/08 12:50 PM |
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Francine
LIF Infant
Member since 3/07 70 total posts
Name:
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Re: Godfather question....
A friend of mine is Jewish and is the godfather of a catholic baby and I don't think the church had any problem with it. If you speak to your priest they can sometimes "bend the rules",.. my sister actually made both myself and my younger sister godparents of her child. I am considered the "godfather".. not something I would ever do again but in the end it was my sisters choice and the church had to go along with it. Both my younger sister and I baptized my nephew at the alter and the priest never said anything about it. They did refer to me as "Frank".. which I was a little upset about.. but it was pretty funny.
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| Posted 4/27/08 1:48 PM |
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Re: Godfather question....
I recently called my church about this, and was told that only 1 godparent needs to be Catholic, and must be at least 14 years of age.
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| Posted 4/27/08 2:34 PM |
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KateDevine
*
Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
Name:
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Re: Godfather question....
Posted by luvmyReese
We are not having any Godparents...its easier that way. We are asking our family and friends help us guide and support our daughter, Reese thru her life.....
I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but why answer the question like this? I mean, that is great that you aren't chosing godparents, but the OP is choosing godparents, and asked for help with it.
To the OP, I am not even baptized and I had a goddaughter, the godfather had received all of his sacraments, therefore I did not have to. I was 20 as well.
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| Posted 4/27/08 2:53 PM |
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Heather617
My Babies
Member since 5/05 2566 total posts
Name:
Heather
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Re: Godfather question....
Our Church requires one Godparent to be Catholic and one to be Christian
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| Posted 4/27/08 3:00 PM |
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Melbernai
I am a lucky Momma!
Member since 7/05 15652 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Godfather question....
After reading all of the replies....
What if you make an appt to speak with the priest at your church directly, or even a phone appointment. Maybe the church has a policy but I know that many many churches do allow only one godparent to be baptised. Is it possible that they are telling you this more strict policy when you just call for a quick question, but that when you actually speak a bit more to the priest they'll allow it.
Thinking back I called, left a message for the priest in our church. He called us back and asked us a lot of questions. He asked who we were choosing and why, and if they had made their sacrements. I think it was because of that more personal conversation that he realized that my BIL was a good choice for a godfather even though he hadn't made his catholic sacrements, and so he allowed it.
I'd try calling and speaking or making an appt to speak with the priest himself.
HTH! Good Luck! 
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| Posted 4/27/08 4:22 PM |
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luvmyReese
Hello Kitty
Member since 1/08 7542 total posts
Name:
Catt
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Re: Godfather question....
This is in reply to KateDevine
I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude, but why answer the question like this? I mean, that is great that you aren't chosing godparents, but the OP is choosing godparents, and asked for help with it.
I answered the "Q" b/c in my church (Methodist) you DONT have to have Godparents if you dont have person in mind to ask. There are options, thats another reason I posted my response. The orignal person did not state what religion she is (if she did, my bad) just of her DH.
I dont think that your rude, just maybe mis-understood my reasons.
Message edited 4/27/2008 5:42:32 PM.
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| Posted 4/27/08 5:39 PM |
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mamochk
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/06 379 total posts
Name:
Alison
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Re: Godfather question....
I am catholic as well....
I'm going to have to call again and see if my BIL could be a "catholic witness" (since technically he is catholic) and my sister be the "godmother". I really hope that can be done.... But we would explain the situation to him and let him know in our eyes he will be the godfather.
It's sooo silly how they can tell you who you can and can not have... I dont think that is right....
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| Posted 4/27/08 5:57 PM |
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CrankyPants
I'm cranky
Member since 7/06 18178 total posts
Name:
Mama Cranky
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Re: Godfather question....
Posted by mamochk
I am catholic as well....
I'm going to have to call again and see if my BIL could be a "catholic witness" (since technically he is catholic) and my sister be the "godmother". I really hope that can be done.... But we would explain the situation to him and let him know in our eyes he will be the godfather.
It's sooo silly how they can tell you who you can and can not have... I dont think that is right....
I think you will be fine-as others, I have only heard that 1 of the GP's needs to be confirmed, etc.
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| Posted 4/28/08 9:25 AM |
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mamochk
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/06 379 total posts
Name:
Alison
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Re: Godfather question....
OK, sooooo... I called the 2 parishes I would want to use, and spoke to the priest in each one...
what they said was technically you only need one "sponsor" who has been confirmed, my BIL can be a witness and stand up there with us and my sister, but he wont be on the baptismal certificate or bulletin. He is "catholic" , so he cant be considered a "Christian witness".
So we can explain that to him, and to us and our child he will be considered a godparent, but "officially" he wont be.....
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| Posted 4/28/08 4:36 PM |
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zeta1996
YUMMY!
Member since 9/06 2365 total posts
Name:
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Re: Godfather question....
I am catholic and when we chose our DS's godparents it was asked that at least one of the godparents was baptised catholic...that was all-they did NOT have to be confirmed. Possibly there is another catholic church in your area that you can ask?? I know some parishes have different rules....and once you tell your parish that the other one says it is fine, it usually works out...it did in our case as well! I hope it works out for you...
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| Posted 4/28/08 4:43 PM |
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