Dioceses in southern Italy veto godparents at baptism and confirmation

The bishop of three dioceses in province of Caserta, in southern Italy, decided to suspend the presence of godfathers and godmothers at baptisms, crimas and Christian initiation rites for adults, considering that they have currently “lost their original value”.   

The experimental measure, which will initially last three years, was announced by the bishop of the dioceses of Teano-Calvi, Alife-Caiazzo e Sessa Aurunca, Giacomo Cirulli, and will be promulgated on March 20th.   

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“In the current socio-ecclesiastical context, the role of godfathers and godmothers, for the most part, has lost its original value because they are only present at that celebration”, says the decision.   

According to the religious, the role of the godfather and godmother in baptism and confirmation “consists of accompanying the catechumens or those confirmed throughout the entire journey of faith and not just at the moment of celebrating the Sacrament. Currently, however, this role has almost completely lost its meaning, being reduced to a kind of formal obedience or social custom.”, “The suspension on an experimental basis is not intended to diminish the value of these figures, but represents an attempt by the bishop to recover its identity and mission”, adds the text.   

Cirulli, 71 years old, from Cerignola, instructed the liturgical offices of the three dioceses “to monitor, during this three-year period, the progress of the new practice and, at the same time, to study possible new forms of accompaniment, which recover the true ecclesiastical meaning of the office of godfather and godmother.”   

The suspension will come into force on April 9th, but an extension is planned until the next Solemnity of Pentecost. “Parish priests have the power to issue or not authorization for the celebration of the sacraments of baptism and confirmation outside diocesan territory”, states the note.   

Finally, the bishop, who recalls that the presence of these figures was already indicated as not mandatory by the Code of Canon Law, recommends that this authorization “be granted for just reasons and for reasons unrelated to the presence of the godparents and godmothers”. (HANDLE)