Skip to content
Angelology 2 min read • Updated Nov 2024 • 31 languages

Do Catholics believe in angels and demons?

Medalius
Team
Medalius
№ 01

Short answer

01

Yes, Catholics believe in angels as spiritual beings and messengers of God.

Medalius
№ 02

Full answer

Catholics believe in angels and demons, spiritual creatures created by God, the former as servants and messengers of the divine will, and the latter, by their free choice, distanced themselves from God and became His adversaries. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, angels play an essential role in the plan of salvation, serving as protectors and spiritual guides for humanity (Catechism 328-336). They help us walk in faith and resist the temptations of evil.


In contrast, demons are fallen angels who, driven by pride and rebellion, rejected God's love and now work to draw humans away from Him. These evil spirits, led by Satan, oppose the plan of salvation, but their power is limited by divine providence, and their ultimate defeat was secured by Christ's victory on the cross (Catechism 391-395).


In Sacred Scripture, we find numerous references to both angels and demons. Angels appear as messengers at crucial moments in the history of salvation, such as the announcement of Jesus' birth to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38) and in the protection of the faithful (Psalm 91:11). Additionally, the New Testament warns us about the actions of demons, who can tempt humans, as seen in Jesus' temptation in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11), but they are always subject to God's power (Luke 10:18).


The presence of angels and demons, as well as the powers mentioned in Ephesians 6:12, reminds us of the spiritual reality surrounding our earthly life. Our struggle is not only against the adversities of the material world but also against the forces of evil operating in the unseen. However, with the help of angels and God's grace, the faithful are strengthened to resist evil and persevere on the path of salvation.

№ 03

References

Cited sources

Psalm 91:11: "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." Matthew 18:10: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father." Revelation 12:7-9: "There was a war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and his angels were expelled." Jude 1:6: "And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains." 2 Peter 2:4: "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell." Ephesians 6:12: "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Matthew 25:41: "Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Luke 10:18: "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." 1 Peter 5:8: "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." Colossians 1:16: "For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities."
Submission note to the Catholic Church

The answers here aim to clarify doubts about the Catholic faith. While every effort is made to ensure conformity with the Church's teachings, we recognize that interpretation errors can occur. If you identify any content at odds with the magisterium, please let us know — we will review and correct promptly.