Christening questions...

[Hollye]

one quick question...

Do you HAVE to have godparents to get a child christened?

thanks in advance

[Lulu2]

Umm, yeah I would think so. I thought the role of godparents was to be part of the childs life and to help them with their relationship and understanding of god and to help guide them through life?

ETA: that was a bit of a crap explanation.

So if you are Christening a child into faith, part of the deal of godparents is to ensure the religious education of the child, and to take care of them if anything happens to you.

Is there no one around you can consider for this role hun?

[Astrid]

Was having this conversation with a friend the other day who just had a dedication ceremony for her second DD.

From what I can gather it may depend on the church. With my friend they decided against god parents as the god parents can actaully have input in the religious upbringing of the child. They did not want that input from other regarding their children, even though they are very active members of their church. Can't remember what their church is, but it is not one of the major ones.

I would suggest having a talk to your church

[briggsy's girl]

i was thinking the same - for most of the mainstream religions, it is generally accepted (and i think expected) that at least one godparent be introduced into the childs life. i think if you're having a dedication or naming ceremony though, there is no need for godparents

[Astrid]

Got curious on this one, so I did a quick Google. Depends on the church and the actual ceremony. For example one Anglican church insisted on at least 1, but preferred 3, godparent, whilst a different Anglican church preferred there to be godparents, but did not require it.

God Parents and legal guardians (in the case of something happening to both parents) are actually separate roles, but can be the same people if you wish.

[Hollye]

thanks

There doesnt seem to be anyone around here that fit into that role thats all..

Me and DP dont have much to do with religion so we dont really need anyone guiding her through the religous belief iykwim. I want Mia to pick her own beliefs, but that being said i would still like her to be christened.

Hope that makes sense.

[briggsy's girl]

if you don't have religious beliefs would you be better off having a naming day for her - that way she's been officially welcomed into the world, but in a non-religious way...

[SamiH]

Hollye - I agree with BG

Why have her christened if you and DP don't observe the religion/faith etc? Depending on which faith, you as the parents may be required to do some religious instruction stuff too.

Not being rude, but I think you need to re-examine the reason why you would have her christened.

[PinkPalace]

hollye - if you want mia christened then christen her.
It is your decision regardless of how your faith compares with other peoples.

Depending on the church you can be the godparents as well.
What religion are you thinking?

Even asking your parents to stand in is an option?

[Lulu2]

I think its more a lack of faith point though. Christening is all about being officially welcomed to the church community and through the ceremony you will be asked to promise to ensure the child religious edumaction - are you willing to do that even though religious faith (no matter what form) is not important to you? Its an empty promise iykwim?

There are lots of different ways and rituals to welcome a child into the world. Naming ceremonies are big in the non religious community. They can be really, really lovely - there are lots of celebrants that do this type of thing, I've been to heaps!

[Hollye]

we are both believers we just dont go to church every sunday.. thats what i meant by not really following it. I wouldnt have a problem teaching her what ever i need to when it comes to religion. It will be a special day for the whole family as i wish to hold it on the 5th Feb 2009 as this is my fathers (he passed away 12/12/07) birthday and its sort of her little connection to him through a holy place. Does that make sense. Its hard to explain..

DP was christened cathlic (sp) so i think i would have to stick with that. ?!?!?

i would LOVE for my mum to be the godmother but then we have the problem of matts parents and them being left out (oh they are sooks) and i really dont want them to be involved in something like this..

[briggsy's girl]

if you're looking at a catholic baptism, i believe you'll need at least one godparent that is from the catholic church (not necessarily active in the church, but is a confirmed catholic). this is my understanding of the catholic process. i would go and speak to the priest at your local church and ask them what their "rules" are as such.

even though DH and i are not active in the church, i am a confirmed catholic. i do struggle with some of the stances the church have made and as a result, i don't attend church, but i do have my beliefs, and our children will be baptised with catholic godparents. DH is not catholic, but given our choice of godparents (bro and sil) he agrees that a catholic ceremony is appropriate. our children won't be raised attending church, but will be bought up with christian beliefs. if, when they are old enough, they wish to attend church, i have no drama with this (it's next door!) - but it will be their choice

if this is the way you're looking at it, definitely speak to the priest about what the expectation re god parents is - and if you want your mum as the only godparent, so be it. give his parents another "special" role in Mia's life!

[sangie]

Holly I am catholic and although I don't go to church every sunday (or very often for that matter!) I had DD christened. It was a requirement to have at least one godparent and yes BG is right, one of the godparents has to be catholic. You don't have to go to a catholic church, you should go somewhere where both you and Matt are comfortable and understand the implications of the ceremony.

I think if you really want your mum as godparent then you should do it! Your daughter and your decision, Matts parents will just have to get over it lol! Maybe they could be involved in something else on the day? Like doing a reading, helping to dress Mia........just a thought?

[PinkPalace]

I agree. Ask your mum if she is catholic.
I went to a catholic baptism on sunday and there for 4 on that day and all had different types of god parents and different amounts of godparents.

Ashley is anglican and her god parents are anglican, catholic and greek orthodox (she has 3).
Ethan will have 2 greek orthodox and 1 presbyterian godparents when he is christened in janurary.

But the anglican church allow all christian demoninations to be god parents.

Perhaps matts parents can assist like sangie said with dressing on the day. Or with bonnernies afterwards?

As for others saying not to get them christened if you arent a strict catholic. You know faith comes in many forms and i think it is wonderful you are looking for your daughters future and protection in the church by getting her baptised. Even if you dont attend church regularly

p.s any mail yet?

[Lulu2]

Ooo, you better get onto it quickly if you want that date in particular hun, its the busy season!

[Hollye]

BG u hit the nail on the head... thankyou

i was going to have my bestie as the godmother but it seems she has a new found interest in DP and frankly i think its abit innapropriate for her to have such an important role.

[SamiH]

Hollye - you have obviously put alot of thought into it - good for you hun.

Yes, to be baptised one of the godparents need to be catholic - and poo poo DP's parents if they get upset - there is more to being a godparent than just standing up there on the day - it's about being a positive influence on the child's life (not just religious!) and being there for them if they need you down the track.

I was christened anglican, DH's family are catholic and my kids have been baptised catholic too - but we don't get to church every week either - about once a month at the moment especially with bubs.

I was not implying at all that you shouldn't have her baptised if you aren't strict catholic, I wouldn't judge just on the info in this thread alone!!

You can tell Matt's parents they have their special title as grandparents and no-one can stand in for that one

Yes, act quickly for your dates!