Religion Catholic

No.
Break that promise to care for and guide the child right away.
I think you should cut off all contact with this family immediately. And undermine and negatively impact her 9 year old life in anyway possible: spiritually, socially, academically, financially....smh.....

Are you serious?
If you're seriously questioning this, you should bow out. The little girl deserves better.

Wait, what? The point in choosing Godparents to stand up at a child's baptism, is to assist child's parents in any way appropriate to guide the child through a Christian life. I'm not sure there's any stipulation that is HAS to be a Catholic life.

So you're saying they're not going to a Catholic Church, but ARE going to a Christian Church of another denomination?

I think God would be pleased either way. It's the same God.

Relax. I have so many God children I've lost track.

:)

E.,

Why not ask the parents what they want you do do? If the new religion does not have a role or need for God parents - what or how do they want you to support their daughter?

Just because it's a different religion, doesn't mean you just walk away from this child. If you have a vested interest in her and care for her - you continue to be there for her life. If she asks you questions about religion? You answer them and try to stay as unbiased as possible. You might find yourself learning something new and that's not a bad thing.

Good luck!

I would consult with your parish priest.
If I am understanding your question correctly, you are asking about what your obligation is in this situation. And that obligation, the responsibility of a godparent, as seen by the church, is probably misunderstood by a large number of the general population, particularly non-Roman Catholics. So rather than ask us, the uninformed laity, about what "socially" is appropriate, go talk with the priest.

Regardless of what your "Catholic" obligations are in the role of godparent, you can still be a good friend of the family and continue to maintain an interest in the well being of the child. One doesn't exclude the other.

I think i would discuss this with your parish priest and ask for guidance. Do you know the reason that the father decided to change religions and what religion he changed to? Is it a Christian religion? I can understand that the mother was torn about keeping the family together in one church. Good luck and pray about it.

E., I think there are two primary thoughts on "godparents" -

1. The thoughts of the Catholic church regarding their role in the life of the child, and how they should conduct themselves , both in the relationship and in the church community. http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-cont...
According to this link, there are strict guidelines for the faith and behaviors of anyone asked and willing to be a godparent.

2. The views of society, regardless of the strict adherence to the laws of the church. http://www.mannersmentor.com/mom-manners-and-kids-too/the...
According to this link, religion is regarded as more of a spiritual journey that you will help guide the child through, being a role model. Additionally, a godparent would assume a more involved role in the event of a parental death.

Hopefully, between these two interpretations of what being a godparent entails, you & your husband can find a way to stay involved in your goddaughters life and continue to mentor her as she matures spiritually.

T.

Why don't you ask them if they will be continuing to teach her the Catholic faith? If they are not practicing, then it's a non-issue because it's a Catholic thing. If they're no longer Catholic, then the god-parent thing wouldn't be applicable.

God-parents have no responsibility outside the church. But if you're friends and enjoy the family, keep the relationship going.

As a fellow Catholic I understand why you still feel a certain... "obligation" to your Godparent role, as far as whether or not this girl continues in the Catholic Faith. I can see why you and are confused now to what your role is. And I have been reflecting upon this a lot recently because we are baptizing my son this weekend and recently chose Godparents for him.

I think your main obligation now is to stay in the child's life and continually provide influence to her in a spiritual and Christian way. You never know what will happen as the girl grows, she may come back to the Catholic Church someday. In the meantime if you remain in her life, and keep contact with her, she would be seeing examples of Catholicism in her background. I don't think it is your place to secretly push Catholicism on her or anything like that, but just to provide positive spiritual support and continue to be good Catholics yourselves.

I'm confused. Are you giving up because they aren't Catholic? Why?

Being a God Parent has different meanings to different people. It would help if you stated what YOU believe your role is.

for me? My role as a God Parent is to help guide the child through living a Christian life. That does not mean that she MUST be Catholic.

One of my son's God mother is Methodist. We are Episcopalian (close to the Catholic faith). It doesn't matter to Tyler and me what religion the person is, it's a matter of HOW they are going to guide my child through all the questions of life and religion. For us, it's tied to the person's morals and values, do they align with ours?

I hope you aren't walking away because they changed religions.

It's a good question to ask the parents.
They may no longer want god parents for their child - so they may release you from your promise.

I don't see how "the rules of the game have change[d]." She is still your god child. Do you believe you can't be good god parents to a child of another religion? The only other option would be to be bad god parents. I don't think you can "undo" god parenthood.

The responsibility of a God parent is to teach the religion to the children, not to take care of them if the parents pass (that's why we have wills).

Since they have chosen another religion then I would decline on their offer to become God parent unless they don't mind you teaching the Catholic religion.

Talk with the girl's parents and ask what their wishes are.

I was under the impression that god parents only took over the child's religious education if the parents died. I don't think you have a religious obligation if they convert to a Protestant faith. Just love the kid the way you would anyway.

I have always thought god parents were symbolic anyway. That if anything happened to the parents they'd be there and step in. For most everything else the parents and the relatives will be there for the children.

If you don't want to do this then don't. If you want to be there and have a relationship with this family regardless of what church they go to then by all means, do it.

Your situation is kind of the opposite, but this was a good read. In your case the parents are not wishing to remove you from duties, rather you are wondering if you should be removed.

http://www.catholic.com/blog/michelle-arnold/once-a-godpa...

I my opinion, it sounds like this child could benefit from a person who has a strong belief. Do you want to help guide this child regardless? Or do you want to be done with this family because of their indecisive ways?

Can you take her to Mass?