People all over Ireland are asked to act as godparents for their friends and family’s children every day – regardless of their religious beliefs.
Under Canon law, anyone who is not a practicing Catholic is not permitted to act as a godparent at a christening.
During the ceremony, they are asked to proclaim their faith on behalf of the child and confirm that they will support the child’s parents in their Christian duties.
Throughout the childhood, the godparent is expected to encourage Christian behaviour and help the child to grow into the Catholic community.
Despite, this many people across Ireland accept the role without holding any belief in God or ongoing membership of the Church.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, The Home Show presenter Sinéad Ryan said she is honoured to have been asked to take on the role for five children – but she views herself as more of an ‘odd-mother’ than a godmother.
“I prefer to be referred to in that way because like very, very many people, I don't have a religion or I don't ascribe to religion anymore,” she said.
“I’m a godmother - an odd mother as it were - to five different people, most of them grown up now, it has to be said.
“I love that role. I was very honoured to be asked and I think it's a kind of a lovely social favour that you bestow on somebody.
“It is a bit like an aunt on speed; they get slightly above average Christmas and birthday presents and great hugs and I'm always there for my odd children.
“But I think the religious thing, like very many things, has kind of gone by the wayside.”
@newstalkfm'It's more like a maid of honour or a best man' Do you need to be religious to be a godparent?
Catholic Ireland
Sinéad noted that recent studies have shown that the number of Irish weddings held in churches has fallen from over 90% to just over one-in-three over the last two decades.
She said many people in Ireland are happy to go along with certain Catholic traditions even if they don’t believe in them.
“I mean, I don't shun going into a Catholic church for a wedding - absolutely not – or a funeral or anything like that.
“I'm happy to take part. I'll stand, I’ll kneel, I’ll sit – I'll do what's appropriate.
“I mean, having been asked to be a godmother, I certainly wouldn't rock up in the church and say, “I don't believe in all of this, stop asking me”, you know, I'm not going to do that.”
Odd-parents
Sinéad said parents make their own choices about christening their children – and if the Church were to really investigate whether proposed godparents were active Catholic or not, it might find itself with far fewer options.
She said she respects the traditions of a church when in one but draws the line at taking communion or praying.
“I wouldn't go to communion because I would consider that hypocritical,” she said.
“I don't care to stand in a long line to pretend I'm something I'm not, but nor do I say the prayers out loud – but I thoroughly enjoy sacred music. I love the peacefulness of it and I sometimes occasionally envy the people of faith.”
Sinéad said the people who have asked her to act as a godparent had no issue with her lack of faith.
“They knew this full well because I am not so much of a hypocrite that I pretend that I am something I'm not and look, if it's okay with them, it's okay with me,” she said.
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