When you ask someone to serve as a baptismal “sponsor” or “godparent,” you are asking him or her to exert an excellent lifelong spiritual influence. Sponsors remind this child of God of the saving grace freely poured in baptism. Sponsors set an example by their own love for God’s Word and Sacraments. If need be, sponsors may need to correct this child of God and point him or her back to the tools God uses to sustain faith and godly living.

Not everyone--not even a close relative--is in a position to serve as a sponsor in the true sense of the word. It only makes sense to choose someone who makes an exemplary confession of faith and who will completely support what you and your church say about the Lord Jesus and Holy Scripture. If you want sponsors for your child, consider asking a member of your WELS congregation to take up this responsibility. Your pastor is in a good position to help you make this choice.

But that doesn’t mean you have to exclude your Roman Catholic brother and his wife. Based on your question, I understand that they might expect to have a role on the day of your child’s baptism. You can avoid an unnecessary family crisis by asking them to serve as “witnesses” on the day of your child’s baptism. Witnesses can stand with you at the baptismal font. Witnesses can vouch for the fact that a valid baptism was performed. Witnesses can be supportive and loving family members or friends. Witnesses can carry out an honorable function without being asked to make a promise they are not in a position to carry out.