Baptism is a Sacrament of initiation, which brings a person into union with Christ as a member of the Catholic Church. 

A godparent represents the Catholic Church at Baptism, and serves as a role model for the child by living a full Christian life. Godparents must themselves be baptized. Godparents should be at least 16 years of age and should have received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Godparents' current lifestyles should be in accord with the Catholic faith.

There can be one or two godparents, but one of these must be a baptized, practicing Catholic. The other may be a baptized, practicing member of another Christian denomination. While this person is referred to as a "Christian Witness" on this form, his/her role in the baptism ceremony is the same as the godparent. Likewise, the expectation is that this Christian Witness will be a Christian role model for this child and a support for the parents in bringing the child up in the Catholic faith.