I think the issue is practical and that we should be clear what the Church teaches on this subject, it is not hard to find in the parishes involved in situations when explain to someone why the chosen godparent for baptism or confirmation can not be for not meeting any of the conditions.
reproduce an article by P. Juan Manuel Cabezas , Doctor of Canon Law and a professor at the Institute of Canon Law, "San Damaso, Madrid. In a few paragraphs exposed clearly and concisely what we need to know about the conditions to be met in the church sponsors. This article has been extracted from the page " Moment of Truth " (very good site, I recommend - the link is on the right side of the screen - and in which he also collaborated).
The Godfather has a spiritual paternity of their godchildren. This is a person who presents the catechumen, who wants to be baptized, when it is grown, to the Christian community, or that physical assistance to parents in Catholic education for a child to be baptized.
seems that its historical origin is already in the first moments in the Church, as if a pagan or a Jew wanted to be a member of the Church was to be presented by a Christian called to testify in his righteousness intention. This was particularly necessary in times of persecution, when there was a fear of introducing traitors or informers among the faithful.
The sponsor has the function as described by the Code of Canon Law in the can. 872 "assist in their Christian initiation to the adult who is baptized, and, together with parents, the child who is to receive baptism and to help it live a life consistent with Christian baptism and to fulfill faithfully the obligations inherent in it. " Similarly, about the godfather of Confirmation can. 892 teaches that the confirmation has to have a godfather who is responsible for ensuring that behave as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfills the obligations inherent in the sacrament. "
The mission of the sponsors is very important, actually creating a real relationship, "paternal" in the face of the godchildren. Similarly to how parents give their children physical life, and sponsors help assist with the delivery of a higher life, supernatural, the more important since it is natural that the distance from the creature of God.
is why the Church requires some minimum requirements that have to assume the role of sponsors at baptisms or confirmations. These conditions, by the standards 874 and 893 are as follows:
1. that is chosen by the candidate for baptism or confirmation, by their parents or those who take their place or, if missing the previous ones, by the pastor or minister of the sacrament.
2. which has the capacity to perform this mission and intent of that task.
3. who has completed at least 16 years, unless the Bishop has ordered another age, or, for just cause, the pastor or minister considers appropriate exception.
4. who is Catholic, confirmed, made the first communion.
5. leading a life consistent with faith and mission to be undertaken, so it can not be in an irregular situation to God and the Church: cohabitation, civil marriage only, divorced and remarried ...
6. that is not affected by any canonical penalty.
7. than the parent of baptisms and confirmations.
Of course, the sponsor can not belong to a non-Catholic ecclesial community, which could only exercise of mere witnesses, godparents ever true, it can not be appointed to assist the development of a divine life who not believe in it or have ideas incompatible with the truth based on Jesus Christ and preserved by the Catholic Church.
P. Juan Manuel Cabezas.
Doctor in Canon Law.
Doctor in Canon Law.
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