| A child may only be baptised into the Catholic faith if at | | | | sufficient and no more than two are permitted. |
| least one parent is a Catholic because of the need for | | | | Godparents should themselves have been baptised |
| the priest to have an expectation that the child will be | | | | and usually it is a requirement that they have also been |
| raised in the Catholic faith. Parents will usually be | | | | confirmed. Godparents are expected to instruct the |
| expected to go to pre-baptism preparation classes if it | | | | child in matters concerning faith. If the parents wish to |
| is their first child to be Christened. | | | | have a non-Catholic play a recognised role in their |
| To the Catholic Church the baptism makes the child a | | | | child's life, the non-Catholic may be a 'witness' but not a |
| member of the church. Being washed in holy water | | | | Godparent. |
| represents the washing away of original sin and being | | | | Some priests will permit parents to choose readings |
| re-born into a new life in Christ. A Christening usually | | | | for the service. Parents and Godparents will be asked |
| takes place in the local parish church during the main | | | | to make promises and declarations that they believe in |
| Sunday service so that the child can be welcomed into | | | | God and will raise the child to follow Christ. At the end |
| the church community. However, for those wanting a | | | | of the service a candle may be lit in the church, or |
| private ceremony, this can often be arranged with the | | | | given to the parents, to represent the light that has |
| priest. | | | | come into their child's life. |
| In the Catholic Church one Godparent is seen as being | | | | |