Godparents serve in their capacity by giving witness to the faith of a fully initiated Catholic. The role, then of Godparents is not an honorary one, but rather one that must be undertaken with serious diligence. Their role is to assist the parents in their duty as Christian mothers and fathers.

To be admitted to the role of Godparent, a person must:

1. be designated by the parents of the child or the one who takes their place or by the pastor or minister of baptism;
2. be a practicing Catholic who has been Confirmed and has already received the sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist and leads a life in harmony with the faith and the role to be undertaken;
3. not be bound by an canonical penalty. (Church Law)
4. must be sixteen years of age.

Only one Godparent is technically required who need not be of the same gender as the one to be baptized. However, if there are two Godparents, there must be one male and one female.

Anyone who does not meet these requirements cannot be a Godparent. However, one baptized non-Catholic may act as a Christian witness at the ceremony along with one Catholic Godparent who meets the canonical requirements above. (These requirements come from Church law and are not at the discretion of the pastor.)