Editor,

RE: "Debate: Are godparents still relevant?” (The New Times, March 4)

My two cents... the role of godparents is traditionally defined from the religious point of view whereby the godfather and the godmother take up the role of providing spiritual guidance to the godchild.

They are recognized by the church as the spiritual parents since they stand together with the parents during the baptism of the child. Now big question is what role do they play after the baptism?

Well it may vary depending on whom you ask but ideally, they are supposed to be involved in the child’s life as they evolve spiritually. In ‘modern’ contexts this could be taken to mean quite a different number of things.

For one, the criteria for godparents is more of a function of the relationship between the parent and the godparents than the relationship of the godparents to the religion subscribed to.

If asked, I think being a godparent comes down to one thing, despite your busy schedule and challenges in life, when you pray to God, remember your godchild in your prayer that they may be safe, cared for and may they grow up to have a rich life.

David Anjiki