quality:corruption, linguistic:paraphrasing
Spiritual kinship

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.

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.