Mafia criminals will not be able to serve as godparents at Baptisms or witnesses at Marriages in the southern Italian region of Calabria. The bishops of region have included the ban in a new set of pastoral guidelines. Persons convicted of Mafia-related crimes are also not permitted to carry statues in religious processions unless they Read more
The Vatican has stated that people with transsexual behaviours cannot be godparents. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued this directive in the case of a Spanish transsexual person who sought to be godfather to a nephew. Alex Salinas, 21, was born female, but holds an ID card identifying her as a male. Read more
I remember clearly the day I deeply offended a close friend by refusing to oversee the religious education of her future children. It was years ago and we were walking through Cashel Mall during an afternoon shopping jaunt and she asked if, when she had children, I would be their godmother. Now, what I think Read more