(Taken from The Cathetism of The Holy Catholic Church, http://www.vatican.va/)
The existence of angels - a truth of faith
The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.
Who are they?
St. Augustine says: " 'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit', if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit', from what they do, 'angel'. With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they 'always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven', they are the 'mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word.
As purely spiritual creatures, angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.
Christ "with all his angels"
Christ is the
center of the angelic world. They are his angels: "When the Son Of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him.." They belong to him because they were created through and for him: "for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through him and for him." They belong to him still more because he has made them messengers of his saving plan: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?
Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: led the People of God, announced births and callings and assisted the prophets and also announced the birth of Jesus(angel Gabriel)
The fall of the angels
Scripture and the Church's Tradition see in this being a felled angel, called "Satan" or the "devil". The church teaches that Satan was at first a good angel, made by God: "The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing."
Scripture speaks of a sin of these angels. This "fall" consists in the free choice of these created spirits, who radically and irrevocably rejected God and his reign. We find a reflection of that rebellion in the tempter's words to our first parents: "You will be like God." The devil 'has sinned from the beginning'; he is a liar and the father of lies.
The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. he cannot prevent the building up of God's reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries - of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature - to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history. It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but "we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him."
The existence of angels - a truth of faith
The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.
Who are they?
St. Augustine says: " 'Angel' is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is 'spirit', if you seek the name of their office, it is 'angel': from what they are, 'spirit', from what they do, 'angel'. With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they 'always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven', they are the 'mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word.
As purely spiritual creatures, angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.
Christ "with all his angels"
Christ is the
center of the angelic world. They are his angels: "When the Son Of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him.." They belong to him because they were created through and for him: "for in him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or authorities - all things were created through him and for him." They belong to him still more because he has made them messengers of his saving plan: "Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to serve, for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation?Angels have been present since creation and throughout the history of salvation, announcing this salvation from afar or near and serving the accomplishment of the divine plan: led the People of God, announced births and callings and assisted the prophets and also announced the birth of Jesus(angel Gabriel)
The fall of the angels
Scripture and the Church's Tradition see in this being a felled angel, called "Satan" or the "devil". The church teaches that Satan was at first a good angel, made by God: "The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing."
Scripture speaks of a sin of these angels. This "fall" consists in the free choice of these created spirits, who radically and irrevocably rejected God and his reign. We find a reflection of that rebellion in the tempter's words to our first parents: "You will be like God." The devil 'has sinned from the beginning'; he is a liar and the father of lies.
The power of Satan is, nonetheless, not infinite. He is only a creature, powerful from the fact that he is pure spirit, but still a creature. he cannot prevent the building up of God's reign. Although Satan may act in the world out of hatred for God and his kingdom in Christ Jesus, and although his action may cause grave injuries - of a spiritual nature and, indirectly, even of a physical nature - to each man and to society, the action is permitted by divine providence which with strength and gentleness guides human and cosmic history. It is a great mystery that providence should permit diabolical activity, but "we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him."
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