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GodparentsGodparents are sponsors who speak on behalf of the child during the baptism. As well having a role to play during the baptism, godparents are also expected to fulfil certain obligations in relation to the child after the baptism ceremony. The obligations that are expected of godparents are best discussed with the parents of the baptised child, but it has traditionally been the role of the godparent to look after the spiritual upbringing of the child. It is commonly assumed that the godparent will take custody of the child in the event of the parent’s death. However, this is not a legal obligation. A parent may appoint a legal guardian who is not the godparent, and godparents have no custodial rights unless they have been named legal guardian by the parents in their last will. The development of godparentingFor the origins of godparenting, we have to look back to the early years of Christianity. At that time, the early church was developing in areas still under Roman rule and was subject to intense persecution. In order to avoid infiltration by the authorities, it was deemed necessary to appoint a sponsor who could vouch for the convert. Later on, the role of the godparent changed. Under the belief that even infants are tainted with Adam’s sin, the church deemed it necessary to baptise and cleanse newly born babies. Since infants cannot speak for themselves, it became necessary for their sponsors to answer on their behalf. For this reason, the role of godparent is still an essential part of infant baptism. Who can be a godparentThe parents do not have to appoint a married couple as Godparents. If they like, they can appoint one godparent of either sex for the child who is being baptised. Although it is the parents’ responsibility to choose the godparent, the church may have a say in approving their choice and may even discourage the choice of certain individuals on religious and moral grounds, depending on the denomination the child is to enter. Churches generally demand that the godparents are mature and responsible enough to fulfil their obligations and that they practice the faith that the child is to enter. Godparent GiftsGodparents conventionally give gifts to the child, although this is not an obligation according to many churches, which see the role of the godparent as simply providing spiritual guidance. Godparents have traditionally supplied the gown for the child to wear during the baptism, although nowadays this choice often falls to the mother of the child. It is however common for the godparents, like other friends and family, to give some kind of christening gift.Sources and further reading: |
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