Godparent Info
When a child is to be baptized, he or she must have at least one godparent. It is customary and preferred that children have two godparents. When there are two, one must be male and the other female. Godparents must meet all of the following criteria, which are established by universal Church law and which do not vary from place to place. Godparents must:
A baptized person who belongs to another Christian community may be admitted only as a “Christian Witness” (not a godparent) provided that there is at least one Roman Catholic godparent who fulfills the above criteria. In such a case, a “Letter of Good Standing is not required.” However, a copy of the record of their baptism is to be obtained and submitted to St. John’s Office of Catechesis.
A non-baptized person cannot be a witness (Code of Canon Law, cc. 872-874).
Please use this link to download the “Certificate to Serve as a Godparent.”
It is to be completed by each godparent and returned to Deacon David Bartolowits at:
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
126 W. Georgia St.
Indianapolis, IN 46225
- be Catholic
- have been baptized, confirmed and receive Communion
- be 16 or older
- must be living a life consistent with their own baptismal vows.
- not be the mother or father of the child to be baptized
A baptized person who belongs to another Christian community may be admitted only as a “Christian Witness” (not a godparent) provided that there is at least one Roman Catholic godparent who fulfills the above criteria. In such a case, a “Letter of Good Standing is not required.” However, a copy of the record of their baptism is to be obtained and submitted to St. John’s Office of Catechesis.
A non-baptized person cannot be a witness (Code of Canon Law, cc. 872-874).
Please use this link to download the “Certificate to Serve as a Godparent.”
It is to be completed by each godparent and returned to Deacon David Bartolowits at:
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
126 W. Georgia St.
Indianapolis, IN 46225