What Is A Godparent? The Religious, Societal, and Legal Explanation

Choosing a godparent can sometimes be a daunting task. When making such a decision, parents probably often ask, what is a godparent? 

The answer to this question would vary significantly depending on the perspective of the person asking. The definition of godparent may also differ from a religious, societal, and even legal perspective.

What is a godparent? The religious explanation

The role of godparents starts during a child's baptism. The godparents are expected to be people who will guide children in the development of their faith and religious practices.

Depending on the religion, there are different sets of rules required for someone to be considered a godparent. 

For Roman Catholics, godparents are called sponsors. They are the ones who read the Profession of Faith during the baptism on behalf of an infant.

For the Greek Orthodox, godparents are also expected to help in teaching their godchild the Orthodox. During the baptismal ceremony, the godparents are expected to pay for the items needed during the Holy Unction.

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What is a godparent? The societal explanation

Even those who are not Catholics, or are not members of the Greek Orthodox, assign godparents to their children.

Some appreciate the role of godparents even though they are not religious. They also designate godparents to their kids, even without a ceremony. What they practice is the "essence" of being a godparent. This essence includes being part of the child's support system while growing up.

Godparents are supposed to be good role models for children as well. As someone who will be around for the child, the godparent should be able to show the child the value of different skills like resilience and patience, among others. Active participation in the child's life is also one of the many parents' expectations from their child's godparents.

Also, the person that parents choose as godparents are those whom they believe can be trusted and will be around for their children when they cannot possibly be there. 

The godparents are not just merely close friends but are also somewhat considered as family members. They are not only anticipated to support their godchildren but the parents as well.

What is a godparent? The legal explanation

Legally speaking, a godparent is not a legal guardian, unless a document, like a will, says so. A godparent is someone who has been designated by parents based on their traditional beliefs.

A godparent is not automatically the legal guardian of a child if in case both parents die tragically. Although no one can dictate to parents whether they want the godparents to be the legal guardian in the future, the law suggests that there is proof for such. Parents cannot just say in a pact with the godparents that the latter will take care of the kids when the parents die. 

Experts in the law say that the most significant difference between a guardian and a godparent is that a guardian has legal rights.