Chapter IV: Of Sponsors

§ 1. From the most ancient custom of the Church, no one is to be baptized solemnly unless he has, insofar as it can be done, his own sponsor.

§ 2. Even in private baptism a sponsor is to be used, if one can easily be had; if he was not present, he is to be used in supplying the ceremonies of baptism, but in this case he contracts no spiritual relationship.

§ 1. When baptism is repeated under condition, the same sponsor, insofar as it can be done, is to be used who perhaps was present in the prior baptism; outside this case in conditional baptism a sponsor is not necessary.

§ 2. When baptism has been repeated under condition, neither the sponsor who was present at the prior baptism, nor the one who was present at the later, contracts spiritual relationship, unless the same sponsor was used in both baptisms.

Only one sponsor is to be used, even of a sex different from the person to be baptized, or at most one male and one female.

In order that someone be a sponsor, it is required:

1° That he be baptized, have attained the use of reason, and have the intention of carrying out this function.

2° That he belong to no heretical or schismatic sect, nor be excommunicated by condemnatory or declaratory sentence, or infamous with infamy of law, or excluded from legitimate acts, nor be a cleric deposed or degraded.

3° That he be neither the father nor mother nor spouse of the person to be baptized.

4° That he be designated by the person to be baptized himself or by his parents or guardians, or, if these are lacking, by the minister.

5° That in the act of baptism he physically hold or touch the person to be baptized by himself or through a proxy, or immediately lift or receive him from the sacred font or from the hands of the one baptizing.

But in order that someone be licitly admitted as sponsor, it is required:

1° That he has reached the fourteenth year of his age, unless something else seems good to the minister for a just cause.

2° That he not be excommunicated on account of a notorious delict, or excluded from legitimate acts, or infamous with infamy of law, without however a sentence having intervened, nor be interdicted or otherwise publicly criminal or infamous with infamy of fact.

3° That he know the rudiments of the faith.

4° That he be a novice or professed member in no religion, unless necessity urges and the express permission of at least the local Superior is had.

5° That he not be constituted in sacred orders, unless the express permission of his own Ordinary is added.

In doubt whether someone can validly or licitly be admitted to the function of sponsor or not, the pastor, if time is available, is to consult the Ordinary.

From baptism only the one baptizing and the sponsor contract spiritual relationship with the baptized person.

It belongs to sponsors, from the function undertaken, to have their spiritual child perpetually commended to themselves, and in those things which pertain to instruction in the Christian life, to take diligent care that he show himself throughout his whole life such as they promised in the solemn ceremony that he would be.