Cathal BarryCathal Barry takes a look at Church teaching on existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls ‘angels’
The Apostles' Creed professes that God is "creator of heaven and earth". The Nicene Creed makes it explicit that this profession includes "all that is, seen and unseen".
The Scriptural expression ‘Heaven and Earth’ means all that exists, creation in its entirety. It also indicates the bond, deep within creation, that both unites Heaven and Earth and distinguishes the one from the other. Finally, ‘Heaven’ refers to the saints and the ‘place’ of the spiritual creatures, the angels, who surround God.
The profession of faith of the Fourth Lateran Council (1215) affirms that God "from the beginning of time made at once (simul) out of nothing both orders of creatures, the spiritual and the corporeal, that is, the angelic and the earthly, and then (deinde) the human creature, who as it were shares in both orders, being composed of spirit and body”.
The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls ‘angels’ is a truth of faith.
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'."
Angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they "always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 18:10)they are the "mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word” (Ps 103:20).
As purely spiritual creatures, according to Church teaching, angels have intelligence and will: “They are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendour of their glory bears witness,” the Catechism says.
The Church believes that Christ is the centre of the angelic world. They are his angels: "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him.” (Mt 25:31). 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."(Col 1:16).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?"(Heb 1:14).
Angels, according to Church teaching, 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: They closed the earthly paradise; protected Lot; saved Hagar and her child; stayed Abraham's hand; communicated the law by their ministry; led the People of God; announced births and callings; and assisted the prophets, just to cite a few examples. Finally, the angel Gabriel announced the birth of the Precursor and that of Jesus himself.
From the Incarnation to the Ascension, the life of the Word incarnate is surrounded by the adoration and service of angels. They protect Jesus in his infancy, serve him in the desert, and strengthen him in his agony in the garden. Again, it is the angels who evangelise by proclaiming the Good News of Christ's Incarnation and Resurrection. According to the Church, they will be present at Christ's return, which they will announce, to serve at his judgement.
In the meantime, the whole life of the Church benefits from the mysterious and powerful help of angels.