Godparenthood

In Hispanic/Catholic culture (in which I was somewhat brought up), allowing a person to be your child's godparent is a great honor. What exactly are the godparent's duties? I'm not sure the ecclesiological (church history) roots of having godparents, but the obvious job is to be present at the godchild's baptism. Next, an ideal nino or nina (godfather or -mother) is to be a guiding force in the child's life; maybe give them a little spiritual guidance here and there(although being a person of faith is not usually a prerequisite of godparenthood). Legally, the godparent promises to raise the child if something major happens to the biological parents. A godparent can be of any or no relation at all. My godparents are older cousins and I am my nephew's godfather. Often, parents will choose a good friend to be a nino/nina.

Since I wasn't baptized Catholic until I was 14, I had the opportunity to help pick out my godparents. Mine were chosen by their helpful advice they gave me at various points in my pre-Catholic life. Recently, I was bestowed the gift of godparenthood by my sister and her husband for their baby Colin. Colin is a special little guy because he was adopted from Guatemala. They got him right before the country stopped allowing international people to adopt. Since he was "conceived" out of such different circumstances, I love him much more. Moreover, since he is my own godchild, I love him even much more.

Even though I'm not Catholic anymore, I think that if I have children, I will give them godparents so that they can have a similar special relationship with people other than my wife and I. Also, if you are having a baby and want me to be a godparent, I'm accepting applications.