When a child or an adult is to be baptized, he or she must have at least one godparent. When there are two, one must be male and the other female. Godparents must meet all of the following criteria, which are established by universal Church law. Godparents must:

(a) be Catholic
(b) be fully initiated in the faith (Baptism, Communion and Confirmation)
(c) be 16 or older
(d) must be living a life consistent with their own baptismal vows.

The Godparent is to assist the parents and the child in living a Catholic life. In order to do so, they need to provide good example of living that life.