Finnish church weighs baptisms without godparents

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland could allow baptisms without godparents in exceptional cases, Yle reports. The church assembly will consider the proposal when it meets in Turku from November 2 to 6.

The committee preparing the proposal says baptism would remain a valid sacrament even if no godparents were present. A parish rector would decide whether to approve a baptism without godparents, at the request of the child’s guardians or the person being baptised.

The proposal would also remove the limit on adding godparents after a baptism. Currently, up to two can be added on request, with the rector deciding on an application from the guardians or the baptised person.

The committee says removing the limit could help families in different circumstances, such as when contact with existing godparents has ended or a family wants to name more close adults to support a child’s Christian upbringing.

In 2019, the church assembly decided that every person being baptised must have at least one godparent who has been confirmed and belongs to a church that confesses the Evangelical Lutheran faith. The church assembly is the church’s highest decision-making body and decides on doctrine, administration and the content of church law.