Godparent

A godparent, in Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. A male godparent is a godfather and a female godparent is a godmother.

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Traditionally, the godparents were counted informally responsible for ensuring that the child's religious education was carried out, and for caring for the child should it be orphaned. Today the latter duty is the most commonly recognized duty of a godparent, and the phrase "godparent" often no longer has religious overtones. However, godparent is not a legal position, and should the parents seriously intend the godparents to act as foster parents in case of their death, this must be legally specified through the usual means (such as a will).

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A godparent may be related to the child, such as an uncle or an aunt, or may simply be a friend of the family. Usually someone very close to the family is chosen; in some cultures, the word for "godparent of one's child" is used for any, or certain, very close friends. This is the meaning of the Spanish compadre and comadre, the French comm?re and comp?re, and the archaic meaning of the English word gossip (from godsib, "god-sibling").

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Christianity: Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life, crucifixtion, resurection and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in the New Testament writings of his early followers. It is the world's largest religion, with an estimated 2.1 billion adherents, or about one-third of the total worl...

Baptism: Baptism is a water purification ritual practiced in certain religions such as Christianity, Mandaeanism, Sikhism, and has its origins with the Jewish ritual of tahara. The word baptize derives from the Greek word βάπτειν (the infinitive; also listed as the 1st pers...

Foster parent: A foster parent is an adult guardian to whom one or more children have been legally entrusted. Unlike godparents, a foster parent is rarely chosen by a child's biological parents. Foster parents are instead usually assigned by a government agency to look after children when cases of abuse or neglect...