CONFIRMATION
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“By the sacrament of Confirmation, the baptized are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.”
-Catechism of the Catholic Church-
REGULATIONS FOR SPONSORS FOR CONFIRMATION
Who may be baptismal sponsor/godparent? Insofar as possible, one to be baptized is to be assigned a sponsor. In the case of an adult baptism, the sponsor's role is to assist the person in Christian initiation. In the case of an infant baptism, the role is, together with the parents, to present the child for baptism, and to help the child live a Christian life befitting of the baptized, and faithfully to fulfill the duties inherent in baptism.
One sponsor, male or frmale is sufficient but there may be two, one of each sex. It is prohibited to have either two male or two female sponsors. To be admitted to undertake the office of : sponsor, a person must:
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Be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents, or by whoever stands in their place, or (if necessary) by the parish priest and is to have the qualifications and the intention of fulfilling this role;
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Be not less than 16 years old;
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Be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has received the Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertake.
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Not to be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared;
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Not be either the father or the mother of the one to be baptized. (These criteria are the same for those who would sponsor a candidate for confirmation.)
A baptized non-Catholic Christian may be a witness to the baptism and only together with a Catholic sponsor. Non-Catholics and non-Christians may not be sponsors for baptism and confirmation.
Because the sponsor must be leading a life in harmony with the faith, the person, if married must be in a valid marriage recognized by the Church.
A baptismal sponsor may act through a proxy. One who is to act as a proxy for a sponsor must meet all of the same requirements the sponsor must meet. The proxy must be the same gender as the official sponsor. A parent or stepparent may not fulfill the role of proxy for the sponsor.
A baptized Catholic who does not meet the above mentioned requirements may not act as a Christian witness. A non-practicing Catholic (one who does not attend Mass, or has left the Catholic Church to practice another religion) may not serve as a Christian witness.
One's own pastor normally issues sponsor certificates, which declare that one is fit to serve as a sponsor for a candidate for baptism and confirmation. These are ordinarily presented o the priest or deacon administering the sacrament.
SPONSORS: NINE MUST-KNOW FACTS
Sponsors don't need to know everything in order to be a sponsor. This is a relief for many. But you and they do need to know a few things about being a sponsor.
Here are nine must-know facts about the role of sponsor:
1. The primary job of a sponsor or godparent to be a spiritual friend to the baptized candidate or catechumen. A sponsor or godparent needs to be able to share his or her own faith and needs to be a person of prayer.
2. A sponsor is not a catechist and isn't expected to know more about church teaching than the average adult Catholic. The catechumen or baptized candidate will raise many questions the sponsor will not be able to immediately answer. That's normal. The sponsor needs to know who to call on to find the answers.
3. A sponsor and a god parent for a catechumen are not necessarily the person: "It may happen that it is not the sponsor for the rite of acceptance and the period of the catechumenate but another person who serves godparent for the periods of purification and enlightenment and of mystagogy".
4. Sponsor makes a commitment for the period of the catechumenate, which is at least one full liturgical year. It could be longer, depending upon the readiness of the catechumen. A godparent makes a commitment for life.
5. The sponsor accompanies the catechumen or baptized candidate to Mass every week and to other parish functions. The sponsor participates in the weekly with the catechumen or baptized candidate to talk about how God is working in both of their lives.
6. The sponsor or the godparent is the one who rehearses for the rites that mark the steps aof the initiation process. The catechumen or baptized candidate relies on the sponsors to know what to do in the rites.
7. The duties of a sponsor or godparent. require a close physical proximity. It is not possible for a sponsor or godparent adequately fulfill his or her responsibilities if he or she does not live within in driving distance of the parish.
8. It is generally not advisable that a spouse or close family member serve as a sponsor. A father or mother may not serve as a sponsor to their child (see Canon 874).
9. A sponsor must be a practicing Catholic, at least 16 years old, and confirmed. (Your local bishop may have designated a higher age.). A non-Catholic may serve as a witness, friend and companion and may participate in the rites, but may not serve as the sponsor or godparent of record (see Canon 874).