Can a Catholic stand as sponsor at a dedication in another church?
My cousin's church is dedicating her baby next month and she has asked me to stand as a sponsor. I love her and want to support the family, but I do not want to go against the Church.
Can I do it? If not, what can I do instead?
4 replies
You may attend with joy and pray for the child. That is a real gift to your cousin, and you should give it freely.
A sponsor, though, speaks for the faith in which the child will be raised. In a dedication that is your cousin's church, so the role belongs to one of its members. Tell her you cannot stand as sponsor, explain why gently, and offer to be there, to pray, and to help with the day.
If the family ever asks for the child's baptism in the Catholic Church, come and see me. That is a different conversation, and a happy one.
Thank you, Father. I told her and she understood. I am going to make the food for the day instead.
That is a sponsor's work of a different kind. God bless you both.