Church Position on Angels (and on Demons)

[Thomas_Dowd]

I would just like to ask to for the official church position on angels - do they physically exist as beings on earth, or simply spiritual beings within us?

And likewise, do demons physically exist as beings on earth, or simply as spiritual beings within us?

Sorry if this sounds ignorant, but I would just like to be re-affirmed as to the official church position.

 

[Todd_Easton]

These links should help:

“The Angels” in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 328-336.

“The Fall of the Angels” in the Catechism, paragraphs 391-395.

 

[Ignatius]

I would just like to ask to for the official church position on angels - do they physically exist as beings on earth, or simply spiritual beings within us?

And likewise, do demons physically exist as beings on earth, or simply as spiritual beings within us?

Sorry if this sounds ignorant, but I would just like to be re-affirmed as to the official church position.

See the Catechism of the Catholic Church. As far as ‘physically’; they are real spiritual, not physical beings.

 

[Thomas_Dowd]

However, I do recall a certain passage from somewhere in the Old Testament, where three men visit Abraham, and it turns out they are Angels. If Angels exist in a purely spiritual dimension, how can this be explained?

 

[Ignatius]

However, I do recall a certain passage from somewhere in the Old Testament, where three men visit Abraham, and it turns out they are Angels. If Angels exist in a purely spiritual dimension, how can this be explained?

God allows them to take on the appearance of having physical being when He wishes.
In fact, If God wished, I bet He could even take on flesh Himself even though He is pure spirit.

 

[Nita]

In addition to appearing in human form, it seems they may also appear in other forms. Eg. St. Don Bosco’s angel may have assumed the appearance of a dog when St. Don was in need of protection. ( fisheaters.com/animals11.html )

 

[NHInsider]

However, I do recall a certain passage from somewhere in the Old Testament, where three men visit Abraham, and it turns out they are Angels. If Angels exist in a purely spiritual dimension, how can this be explained?

Also Scripture does not say that the three are angels, it says “three men.” Some do interpret this scene as being a visit of three angels (“messangers”) to Abraham. Some have interpreted that the three are a visible manifestation of the Trinity. Many believe one is the Lord, accompanied by two angels.

 

[Contrabass101]

Some have interpreted that the three are a visible manifestation of the Trinity. Many believe one is the Lord, accompanied by two angels.

On a side note, it is curious how beautifully the narrator in that passage actually changes back and forth between plural and singular…

 

[Reuben_J]

I would just like to ask to for the official church position on angels - do they physically exist as beings on earth, or simply spiritual beings within us?

And likewise, do demons physically exist as beings on earth, or simply as spiritual beings within us?

Sorry if this sounds ignorant, but I would just like to be re-affirmed as to the official church position.

Good question though. Angels do play very important role in our lives. They act for God and very often they intervene in our lives to save us from physical harm. They do this kind of job maybe because God would be too divine and dignified to do so. That’s just me saying it like that so don’t take too much stock in it.

They do sometimes manifest as humans however, by the grcae of God and when necessary. In scripture, an angel feature prominently in the entire Book of Tobit.

Since demons and angels are of the same substance; one is fallen the other good, I suppose their nature is the same. It’s their function and purpose that differs.

God bless you.