Question
I am a Catholic and my wife is a non-Catholic. We had a son together and I am facing a dilemma about choosing his godparents. My best friend is a pastor at a Protestant church and he and his wife would be great role models for my son. I have family members who could be his godparents but they would not be as exemplary in their witness for Christ. What should I do?
Response
Were you married in the Catholic Church and are you practicing your faith? If so, then the child should be baptized in a Catholic Church. Given that your friend is baptized, he can stand in as a Christian Witness at the baptism in place of one Catholic godparent. The other sponsor should be a Catholic godparent in good standing. Of course, everyone affirms the Apostles’ Creed. Would your pastor friend be okay with this? Your friend may be a wonderful role model as a Christian, but the Catholic godparent is also a witness for the Church. Granted this spiritual bond, the godparent pledges to pray for the child and to do all in his or her power to assist the parents in raising the child in the Catholic faith. During the early days of formation, this means insuring that the child receives religious education and the other sacraments. The Catholic godparent should be practicing the faith and in a state of grace.
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