<P> The Catholic institution of godparenthood survived the Reformation largely unchanged . A godparent must normally be an appropriate person, at least sixteen years of age, a confirmed Catholic who has received the Eucharist, not under any canonical penalty, and may not be the parent of the child . Someone who belongs to another Christian church cannot become a godparent but can be a' witness' in conjunction with a Catholic sponsor . A witness does not have any religious role recognized by the Church . </P> <P> In 2015, the Vatican declared that transgender Catholics cannot become godparents, stating in response to a transgender man's query that transgender status "reveals in a public way an attitude opposite to the moral imperative of solving the problem of sexual identity according to the truth of one's own sexuality" and that, "(t) herefore it is evident that this person does not possess the requirement of leading a life according to the faith and in the position of godfather and is therefore unable to be admitted to the position of godfather or godmother ." </P> <P> In some Catholic and Orthodox countries, particularly in southern Europe, Latin America, and the Philippines, the relationship between parents and godparents or co-godparents has been seen as particularly important and distinctive . These relationships create mutual obligations and responsibilities that may be socially useful for participants . The Portuguese and Spanish compadre (literally, "co-father") and comadre ("co-mother"), the French marraine and parrain, and the archaic meaning of the English word gossip (from godsib, "godsibling"), describe these relationships . By extension, they can also be used to describe a friendship . </P> <P> The Spanish and Portuguese words for the godparent roles are used for members of the wedding party--padrino / padrinho meaning "godfather" or "best man" and madrina / madrinha meaning "godmother" or "matron of honor", reflecting the custom of baptismal sponsors acting in this role in a couple's wedding . </P>

Where did the term god parents come from