In the Dear Abby column on March 1, she was wrong when she answered the question, ”Can an atheist be a Godparent?”

In my faith the answer to that question is absolutely not.

Godparents must be firm believers, able and ready to help the newly baptized on the road of Christian life. Their task is truly an ecclesial function. They and the whole congregation bear the responsibility for the development and safeguarding of the grace given at baptism so the person will learn and practice the faith.

It is not a guardianship, though it can be both.

Shame on you, Abby.

Jeannine Bramstedt

Cosmopolis