criteria for godparents?

8 replies

dinkyboysmum · 10/08/2007 17:56

am i right in thinking that, traditionally, a boy has 2 godfathers and 1 godmother, and a girl would have 2 godmothers and 1 godfather?
also, would the potential godmother/father need to be christened themselves?

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Original poster

dinkyboysmum · 10/08/2007 18:07

bump

OP posts:

JARM · 10/08/2007 18:08

We only have one godmother and one godfather for both of my girls, and this baby (a boy) will have the same.

The godparents we chose have been christened, are regular church goers and also happen to be my brother and SIL!

littlelapin · 10/08/2007 18:09

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littlelapin · 10/08/2007 18:09

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Original poster

dinkyboysmum · 10/08/2007 18:13

think i've just found my answer on web search...

'Godparents should be chosen thoughtfully. It does not matter how many you ask, but traditionally there is a godfather and godmother. Sometimes a boy will have an extra godfather, and a girl an extra godmother. Many people just ask a couple they are friends with with who will have an ongoing influence in your child's life and upbringing.

Please remember that the godparents are making the same promises as the parents.Therefore, the most important criteria is whether the godparents are themselves real Christians.'

thanks!

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muppetgirl · 10/08/2007 18:13

I heard about the 2 of the same sex as your child and one of the other for godparents.

Our vicar also insisted on everyone being christened but did make one concession for my SIL who wasn't and has MS so will not have children of her own. (that and the fact that she's a lesbian but we didn't tell the vicar that!)

I couldn't be a godparent to my nephew as my sil is catholic (though my brother isn't) and I'm c of e.

meandmyflyingmachine · 10/08/2007 18:15

FOr Catholic baptism, you don't need all godparents to be catholics BTW. Just one will do. They do all need to be christened though (not unreasonably...)

muppetgirl · 10/08/2007 18:32

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask your godparents to be christened. I think we forget about what it actually means rather than 'oh, that's a nice idea.'

Our ds has two of each, my bf has been fab with spending time with him, she bought him his 1st bible etc. My dh's bf is equally good (his godfather was a bishop so he knows what to do ) My SIL, not so good. Absolutely no contact with ds unless we visit MIL's.

Flip