Being chosen as a godparent (for Baptism or for Confirmation) is an honor, for the godparent traditionally becomes a companion to the one being baptized or confirmed, whether infant or adult, in a journey in faith. This role can be humbling and awe-inspiring.

Godparents have a liturgical role in the rites of initiation, proclaiming their own faith and, in the case of infants, agreeing to assist the parents in raising the child in the Catholic faith (see Rite of Baptism for Children, #40). This is a solemn pledge, made publicly, and those who make it should be individuals whose faith life and standing in the community give credence to the words they speak.

In the case of adults, the godparent (or "sponsor") is someone who helps prepare the adult and, after the sacraments of initiation, continues to help the newly baptized lead a life in harmony with Christian tradition, especially during the period of "mystagogy."

Godparents should be both role models and resource persons, individuals who are at ease with the practice of their faith and would normally be considered "active Catholics." They should be people who are comfortable with answering questions about their personal relationship with God as experienced in the Catholic communion, even if they are unsure about all the technicalities. They should be people who are interested in and will continue to support their "godchild" in the years ahead.

Church law (CIC, can. 874) specifies that godparents (and Confirmation sponsors) be at least 16 years old (CIC, can. 874, sec. 1.2) and themselves have been fully initiated, that is, have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion (CIC, can. 874, sec. 1.3), and be "living a life consistent with the office undertaken" (CIC, can. 874, sec 1.3) see Christian Initiation, General Introduction, #8-10; Rite of Confirmation, Introduction, #5-6; CIC, cc. 872-873). Parents should not be godparents (CIC, can. 874, sec 1.5)

The role of "godparent" or "sponsor" is not merely that of patron -- it is that of mentor. Sometimes emotional conflicts occur in a family when relatives or close friends who are held in esteem are considered as possible godparents but are technically not qualified either because they are not Catholics or because they are Catholics who do not practice their faith regularly or whose religious status is "problematic" because of some situation, for example, a civil marriage.

It is occasionally permitted for a non-Catholic Christian to be associated as a "Christian witness" to a Baptism (CIC, can. 874, sec. 2; Christian Initiation, General Introduction, #10.4). In such situations, another person should be designated as the official godparent.

Conflicts can occur between loyalties to family and friends and the demands of liturgical and religious authenticity. Baptism and Confirmation are sacraments of faith, and the major ministers, including the godparents and sponsors, should be examples of faith for those gathered in prayer. Not every relative or friend is appropriate to serve as "godparent," and not every person who is appropriate as a "godparent" is close enough to serve in that capacity for "my" family. Balance is not easy to achieve! In special cases, the advice and wisdom of the local priest or pastoral minister can be very helpful.