Angels in Catholic Doctrine

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses angels and the way that they are portrayed in Catholic doctrine. The paper begins with a general definition and discussion of the history of angels in religion. The paper goes on to discuss various opinions regarding the duties of angels and then discusses the references to angels in Scriptures. The paper concludes by discussing faith and belief in angels as they are not obviously visible in this world.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Angels and Cosmological Order
Angelic Offices
Freedom and Free Will in Angels: The Problem of Evil
Angels in Scripture
Angels as Guardians
Archangels
Faith
Conclusion/Further Thoughts

From the Paper:

"Belief in Angels is ultimately an act of faith because Angels are, in Pope John Paul II's words, "not proper to the visible world." However, their invisibility does not preclude their de facto existence, according to Catholic doctrine. Angels are presumed to exist, as they were created by God no differently than God created mankind. Their occasional appearance in bodily form may serve as some sort of proof for their existence, as does their presence throughout scripture. Catholic doctrine explicitly avers the existence of Angels, though they may be unseen. Angels exist in "truth," and their existence has been upheld by the Fourth Lateran Council as well as the First Vatican Council (Pope John Paul II). Therefore belief in Angels can be considered central to Catholic faith."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Angel Pages." Catholic Online. Retrieved July 20, 2006 from http://saints.catholic.org/saints/angel.php
• Catechism of the Catholic Church. 2nd Edition. Retrieved July 20, 2006 from http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c1p5.htm#327
• Dodds, Bill. "Angels: Fiction and Fact." Catholic Heritage. 1996. Retrieved July 20, 2006 from http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/FICFACT.htm
• The Holy Bible. New Advent Edition online: http://www.newadvent.org/bible/
• Pope John Paul II. "Catechesis on Angels." 1986. Retrieved July 20, 2006 from http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2ANGEL.htm

More papers on Angels in Catholic Doctrine:

• Analytical Essay # 8097 : "Tony Kushner's "Angels in America"
• Comparison Essay # 148929 : "Angels in Islam and Christianity"
• Essay # 62422 : "Angels in America"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: