Do you have to be christened to be a god parent ?

[sparkle1977]

Just a simple question, if you know the answer.

Concerned that I may be asked to be a god parent to my sister's child and I am not christened myself (and neither do I want to be, but thats a different story).

Guessing that I could not be a god parent if not christened ?

Yes in C of E churches you have to be baptised to be a god parent.

Yes to RC church too.

You should be, but the vicar may allow it after a chat with the prospective GP. But if you don't want to be christened yourself then why would be prepared to make the promises in chuch, and how would you be a good GP?

Thats what I suspected.

Acanthus - I don't want to be christened myself and I don't particularly want to be a god parent because I think IMO its pretty pointless. I am going to start dropping strong hints to my sister about me not agreeing with it etc etc and hope she chooses someone else as I think thats best all round.

Two of our dd's godparents weren't christened themselves, and it was never asked by our vicar.

Surly your sister knows that you are not christened. So she may not ask you to be god parent.

I am a god parent to my niece, I was christened, although not by choice. I don't belive in all that mumbo jumbo - no offence to anyone who does - however I told my brother and sister in law that yes I would be god parent, and be there for my dn if ever she needs me, but I would be an aunty first and always. They accepted this. Though, personally I think they are hypocritical as they only go to church for weddings, christenings and funerals, as do I and a lot of other people.

ItsJustMyOpinion - I feel exactly the same. I will be a great aunty to my nephew and will take care of him whenever needed throughout his life etc etc but I do not think I need to be a "god parent" to be able to do this.

Yes you do

Sparkle - my brother and SIL turned down the god-parent thing. I asked and would have loved it, but they have no religious feelings whatsoever and so said it would be a bit of a con if they promised to raise/help raise a child in a particular religion, cos they wouldn't.

I am totally NOT offended as I would rather have honesty about something like this.

They are still a fantastic uncle and aunty and are happy to be Will executors and look out for the dcs if anything happens to DH or myself, or both of us

It depends on the church, and whereas it's official C of E policy, not all vicars follow it. Not all denominations use/recognise/understand christening/baptism in the same way, and there's usually leeway for that...

None of our childrens god parents were christened. The vicar didn't ask. Our children were older when they were christened and they all chose their own which made it feel very special for everyone.

I'm not christened and became god mother to my nephew and niece last year and the vicar didn't ask.

yes you really do if you want to be a GODparent - there are other ways you can be an amazing significant person in a baby's life but being a godparent is about developing a childs faith, if you don't feel comfortable with that then aunty is the way to go

It seems to vary between churches TBH.

not true regarding all CofE churches. I have just had both children christened, at christmas just gone, and neither set of god parents have been christened at all. Not a problem for that particular church. I also was not christened. However, DH was christened, in that church when he was a boy. The vicar brought a photo of DH dressed as a choir boy to show us all so we could laugh at him.

I have been to both,and no you dont,my husband wasnt christend either,they dont ask you,anymore,maybe in some churches they do,but i think they are more greatful these days ,that you want to get your child christend.

I am Jewish and was just made a godparent.

We had two sets of godparents for DD's. RC priest was happy as long as one of the 4 godparents was baptised.

I think you are just saying you will "guide" them if needed so maybe if your sis has someone who was of same religion and then yourself they could guide the religious side and you'd guide in right and wrong etc.

Unless you are strongly against it. I thought my DB would say no but he was actually over the moon. I had a back up plan for hime saying no but wanted to give him his place and ask him.

Oh and I should point out I am baptised Dp is not, that didn't bother priest either. His reasoning was that times are changiing and rather than turn someone away for their lifestyle choices he'd rather welcome a new member to the faith.

In my parish, they won't baptise your Dc's if you don't attend mass and they do ask if the chosen godparents are baptised and it is a requirement too.

The minister didn't ask if I was christened before letting me get married in a church. I wasn't, although DH was. I think the Church of Scotland takes a more pragmatic view than either Catholic Church or C of E - witness how they don't care if you live in the parish but will marry you anywhere, on a mountaintop or in the middle of a field. I think it will depend which church you are talking about, and how strongly the minister/vicar/priest feels about it.

DH is considering asking a Muslim friend to be godparent to our baby - not sure if the Church of Scotland will let that one pass!