Godparent issues
Q. Can our baby have more than two godpar-
ents? Can we use two godfathers instead of a
godmother and godfather? May our baby’s
grandparents be her godparents?
It is customary to have two godparents, how-
ever only one is required for baptism. A
godparent may be either male or female. If
two godparents are chosen, one must be male
and one female. However, the Church encour-
ages parents to consider Baptism an opportu-
nity for involving additional adults to enhance
the spiritual life of their child.
Non-Catholic Godparents
Q. My friend was baptized Catholic and re-
ceived all her sacraments. She now worships in
another faith. Can we ask her to be godmother?
A baptized non-Catholic may be chosen as a
“Christian witness” provided there is at least
one Catholic godparent. Yes, this is acceptable.
Changing Godparents
Q. We are no longer on good terms with our
child’s godparents; can we “re-baptize” our
baby? Is it possible to change the godparent
names in the records?
It is important to remember that Catholics
baptize but once. We baptize primarily not for
what Baptism takes away ... Original Sin, but
for what Baptism gives ... Original Blessing
(God’s free gift of grace and eternal life).
What God gives is not taken away. Therefore,
when parents and godparents become es-
tranged from one-another, the Church does not
re-baptize or change Baptismal Records. These
are historical records and cannot be changed.
Many persons will enhance the spiritual
development of your child, and this continues
to be encouraged.
Godparents’ preparation requirements
Q. The couple we asked to be godparents have
had their children baptized in the Catholic
Entering
Church. Do they need to be prepared again to
be our child’s godparents?
We welcome and encourage godparents to
New Waters
of Baptism
participate in the preparation so they can be
continual faith companions to both — parent
and child. It is important that parents select
godparents wisely because they are agreeing to
be a spiritual mentor to your child as together
they grow in faith.
About the parent not being Catholic
Q. I am not Catholic, but I want to baptize my
baby. Can we have them baptized?
Infant Baptism Policy
The Church deems it important for a child to Spring 2007
have a Catholic influence. When a parent
approaches the Catholic Church and asks for
Baptism for their child, they are making a
lifetime commitment to raise the child Catholic
and to model the Catholic faith in their home,
and nurture holiness in their families.
Since parents are the primary educators in
their child’s life, it is important to be living and
practicing a sacramental lifestyle.
There must be a “reasonable hope” that this
child will be raised in the Catholic faith.
About private baptism
Q. May I have a private Baptism? I have been
to baptisms that had too many infants. Is it
possible to have the baptism in our home? Church of Our Lady of the Angels
at the Franciscan Renewal Center
We do not offer private baptismal ceremonies, 5802 E. Lincoln Drive
outside of emergencies. This community would Scottsdale, Arizona 85253
like to welcome you and to share in the privi- www.thecasa.org
lege of raising your child to know and love the
Lord. As the years pass, your child will learn 480-948-7460
to pray by praying with you and this commu- This policy was adopted with input from friars, staff and
nity looks forward to ministering with you. community members, based on the policy of the
Roman Catholic Dioecese of Phoenix. For more
information, see the sacramental policies
at www.diocesephoenix.org.
THE WELCOMING
CONVERSATION
Arrangements for Baptism are made through a
personal conversation with one of the friar
priests or one of the community Baptism Team
ministers. Please leave your name and phone
number at the Front Desk at the Casa, or call
480-948-7460 to start the conversation.
THE PARENTS HELP
IS IMPORTANT
Parents are expected to participate in a prepa-
ration process for the baptism of their children.
Details of this will be discussed in “the wel-
coming conversation.”
CHOOSING GODPARENTS
In the baptism of infants and children, parents
take responsibility for choosing a godparent(s)
who will serve as good examples for living the
Catholic way of life. Godparents are invited to
participate in the preparation process, along
with the parents.
It is customary to have two godparents, how-
ever only one is required for baptism. A god-
parent may be either male or female. (If two
godparents are chosen, one must be male and
one female.)
A godparent must be a fully initiated Roman
Catholic (baptized, confirmed and receiving
the Eucharist) at least sixteen years of age.
A baptized non-Catholic may be chosen as a
“Christian witness” provided there is at least
one Catholic godparent.
the sacred vocation
of the community
Baptisms are celebrated at our regularly sched-
uled Sunday liturgies, periodically throughout
the year, in the midst of our church community.
CHARGES
No fees are charged for the preparation of
parents for the Sacrament of Infant Baptism or
for the administration of the Sacrament of
Baptism. Donations and gifts to the Church
are always accepted, with our gratitude.
THE AGE OF REASON
Children up to the age of seven are baptized in
the same way as infants. Children over seven
are considered to have reached the “age of
reason” and are, therefore, entitled to make the
decision to be baptized on their own. (Of
course, the parents will have a great influence
on their child’s decision.) Children over seven
need to have adequate instruction in the funda-
mentals of their faith. When they are ready
they will be initiated into the Church commu-
nity with three Sacraments: the Sacrament of
Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation, and
the Sacrament of Eucharist.
It is our intention to provide a program of
preparation for these sacraments but, at this
time, such a ministry is not yet in place at the
Franciscan Renewal Center. If you are inter-
ested in helping develop such a program or
being a part of it, please leave your name and
phone number at the Front Desk, or call 480-
948-7460. We will keep you informed of the
developments.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Can Grandparents arrange for the Baptism
Q. My daughter and son-in-law have not had
my grandchild baptized. Can I arrange it?
Q. My daughter has left our home and has left
her children . . .. we are raising them, but we do
not have legal custody. Can we have them
baptized?
In asking to have a child baptized, parents are
making a lifetime commitment to raise their
child Catholic, to model the Catholic faith in
their home, and to nurture holiness in their
families. There must be a “reasonable hope”
that this child will be raised in the Catholic
faith. Therefore, it is not sufficient for con-
cerned grandparents or relatives to arrange a
baptism. In circumstances where the grand-
parents have been legally awarded custody of
the child this is acceptable. When serving as
guardians, a letter of consent from the parents
is necessary.
Marriage concerns and Baptism
Q. My girlfriend and I live together but are not
married. Can we have our baby baptized?
Q. We are married civilly, but not in the
Church. Can we have our baby baptized?
The guidelines for Infant Baptism state clearly
that there be a “reasonable hope” the child
will be raised Catholic. Therefore you, as
parents, may have your baby baptized if your
intentions are to raise your child in the Catho-
lic faith. Since parents are the primary educa-
tors in their child’s life, it is important to be
living and practicing a sacramental lifestyle.
While asking for a sacramental experience for
your child, the Church encourages you, as
parents, to embrace the Christian vision of
marriage and family life.