Church bans minors as ninong and ninang
IT’S BEEN considered “cute” to see a four year-old girl being held by her parents as she stands as a baptismal ninang to a newly baptized relative.
But this will no longer be tolerated, at least in Lingayen-Dagupan archdiocese.
Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz recently issued a circular reminding all members of the diocesan and religious clergy in his jurisdiction that ninongs and ninangs (godfathers/ godmothers) for the sacraments of baptism and confirmation must at least be 18 years old.
Cruz issued Circular Letter No. 18, series 2008 dated October 27, 2008, after he was informed that many priests allow children to act as godfathers and godmothers to other children.
Jocelyn, a mother of two in Manaoag town, admitted that her children have already been asked to be ninong and ninang.
Her four-year old daughter became a ninang to a relative this year.
Her son, now 11 years old, already has three godsons, having started at age 8.
In both instances, Jocelyn said she could not refuse friends and relatives who want her children to be ninong or ninang owing to superstition that refusing would bring bad luck to the person who declines.
Because of this prevalent belief, many priests no longer bother to ask or require that ninong and ninang be adults when performing baptismal rites.
Cruz, in his circular said: “Pursuant to the text and according to the context of the pertinent Church laws, kindly be well reminded of the following:
“Unlike the Sacrament of Marriage and the Sacrament of Sacred Orders, those who play some role therein are called by many Titles e.g., “Witnesses”, “Sponsors” and the like. But in the Sacrament of Baptism and the Sacrament of Confirmation, they are formally known and called as “Godfathers” and “Godmothers”.
“Among its significance and import of the said Titles point to persons or individuals who have the following basic qualifications: One, they are Catholics themselves. Two, they are ready and capable of teaching or giving good examples of Christian living to their “Godsons” or “Goddaughters”. Three, they should wherefore be adults.”
“In the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan, Pangasinan, it is thus herein officially stipulated that the minimum age for said “Godfathers” and “Godmothers” be at least 18 years old.”—#
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