Can A Canidate Choose Their Own Sponser?

[Craftygrl06]

I am a Canidate (i have been baptised, but am seeking confirmation and eucharist) and recently I was told that I am not allowed to choose my own sponser. Is this true?

[cappie]

There is nothing against choosing your own sponsor providing the meet the requirements of church law:

CHAPTER IV : SPONSORS FOR CONFIRMATION

Can. 892 As far as possible the person to be confirmed is to have a sponsor. The sponsor's function is to take care that the person confirmed behaves as a true witness of Christ and faithfully fulfils the duties inherent in this sacrament.

Can. 893 §1 A person who would undertake the office of sponsor must fulfil the conditions mentioned in can. 874.

Can. 874 §1 To be admitted to undertake the office of sponsor, a person must:

1° be appointed by the candidate for baptism, or by the parents or whoever stands in their place, or failing these, by the parish priest or the minister; to be appointed the person must be suitable for this role and have the intention of fulfilling it;

2° be not less than sixteen years of age, unless a different age has been stipulated by the diocesan Bishop, or unless the parish priest or the minister considers that there is a just reason for an exception to be made;

3° be a catholic who has been confirmed and has received the blessed Eucharist, and who lives a life of faith which befits the role to be undertaken;

4° not labour under a canonical penalty, whether imposed or declared;

So in your case, if there are no local rules following the above it is OK to choose your sponsor but they would have to be exceptional to go against the above. The Church has a general principle you cannot make a ruls that is stricter than Canon Law!!