Who can be a sponsor (godparent) for baptism?
Canon 874 lists the qualifications for fulfilling the role of sponsor (godparent). These are: (1) the person to be a sponsor must be designated by the one to be baptized, by the parents or the person who takes their place, or in their absence by the pastor or minister and have the aptitude and intention of fulfilling this function; (2) have completed the sixteenth year of age (an exception can be granted for a just cause by either the pastor or the minister of baptism); (3) be a Catholic who has been confirmed and has already received the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist and who leads a life in keeping with the function to be taken on; (4) not be bound by any canonical penalty legitimately imposed or declared; and (5) not be the father or mother of the one to be baptized.
