Godparents as Catechists: A Paradigm Shift?

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Deacon Mike Bulson

If you were to ask members of your parish, “What is a catechist?” I suspect you would receive mostly satisfactory answers. Some might say, “A Catholic catechist is someone in the Church who teaches about the faith by word and example.” A more ambitious parishioner might find the canonical definition: “lay members of the Christian faithful, who have been duly instructed, who stand out by reason of their Christian manner of life, and who devote themselves to expounding the gospel teaching and organizing liturgical functions and works of charity under the supervision of a missionary” (Canon 785). Many parishioners would likely have an understanding of catechist that approaches these definitions. Some might use the traditional term “CCD,” or refer to religious education.

Then, what if you were to ask the next question: “Who are the catechists in our parish?” I suspect most would single out the religious education director or the many faithful lay members who week after week both teach and model Catholic belief. Some might even identify members of the RCIA team who throughout the year help catechumens grasp the basics of Catholic faith. But would anyone suggest a further category of catechists – godparents?

Godparents as catechists is a novel concept, but one that the new Directory for Catechesis boldly puts forth. Here is what the document says in Chapter 3, No. 125: “In the journey of initiation into the Christian life, the Church calls for a reevaluation of the identity and mission of the godfather and the godmother as support for the educational effort of the parents.” In other words, godparents are to be thought of as catechists!

The notion of godparents as catechists is something that has not occurred to me in 40-plus years of preparing godparents in baptism and RCIA classes. My experience is captured in a further statement in the Directory: “It is known that often the choice of godparents is not motivated by faith but based on family or social customs: this has contributed in no small way to the degradation of these educational figures.”

The key word in the quote from the Directory is “reevaluation.” It calls upon us as ministers in the Church to grapple with what can only be called a paradigm shift. It calls for reimagining the role of the godparent from someone who is canonically qualified to serve to someone who is “duly instructed and outstanding in Christian life,” and thereby capable of  offering the same level of catechesis as those currently serving in that ministry.

This is no small task! But as the document directs, “The Christian community should indicate, with discernment and a creative spirit, pathways of catechesis for godparents, which may help them to rediscover the gift of faith and of belonging to the Church.” One of those pathways I have observed has been in the context of the RCIA process. There, I have encountered individuals who have experienced a rediscovery of the gift of faith and belonging by attending sessions, not as candidates but as adults interested in learning more about their faith. It has been encouraging in several instances to hear these potential godparents express their delight in having gained a better understanding of what they profess on Sunday. My experience in this regard is captured in the Directory statement: “Those who are selected for this role (godparents) often feel called upon to reawaken their faith and to initiate a renewed journey of commitment and witness.” Perhaps the RCIA example is a possible pathway forward in implementing the Directory’s important directive. This approach could possibly evolve into an actual ministry to potential godparents.  

Reevaluation of the identity and mission of godparents is a challenging task for the Church. But as the Chinese proverb instructs: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” A single step might be simply acknowledging godparents along with other catechists on Catechetical Sunday. (Possibly a teaching moment). A further step might involve a workshop at the next Diocesan Congress. Small steps can turn into miles, leading to a renewed and reinvigorated role for godparents as catechists.

Deacon Mike Bulson was ordained in 1997. He is assigned to St. Andrew Parish in Riverton.