A person may only have one or two godparents (also called sponsors); if two are chosen, one must be male and the other female.In order for someone to be eligible as a godparent they must:

• be chosen by the parents
• have the ability and the intention to fulfill the role
• be at least 16 years of age, and be a confirmed Roman Catholic, who:
  • has already received the Most Holy Eucharist,
  • is leading a life in harmony with the Catholic Faith (including a valid Marriage within the Catholic Church)
  • will be a good role model for the one being baptized
  • and be neither the father nor the mother of the child

Godparents will be required to have this eligibility form completed by the pastor of their home parish and marked with that parish seal.  The original completed form (including the parish seal) is to be mailed or delivered to our parish office before baptism will be scheduled.  Godparents will also be asked to participate in some manner of faith formation.  This ordinarily takes the form of a baptismal preparation session for the parents and godparents.  If anyone has completed such a faith formation within the last three years, he/she may forgo this step provided proof of the formation is supplied to our parish from the parish where it was received.

Nota Bene: A Roman Catholic not in good standing with the Church (i.e., not validly married within the Catholic Church or baptized but who now considers him or herself a member of another ecclesial community) may not serve as a “Christian witness”. 

Code of Canon Law, cc. 867-868

Catechism of the Catholic Church 1251