Angels, Demons and Exorcists

Angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve and glorify Him. They are considered as messengers and servants of God, and they act as intermediaries between God and humans.

Angels are believed to possess intelligence and free will, and they are often depicted as guardians and protectors of individuals. The Catholic Church teaches that angels are part of the celestial hierarchy and are to be venerated but not worshipped.

In Christianity, angels are classified into nine types: seraphim, cherubim, and thrones; dominations, virtues, and powers; principalities, archangels, and angels. They are described in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible and reside in Heaven with God.

Heaven is the eternal state of perfect communion with God, where those who are saved live in complete happiness, peace, and joy. It is a place of perfect union with God, free from suffering, sin, and death. Catholics believe that Heaven is the ultimate goal for all believers who have lived according to God’s will.

Seraph

Angels of this type are called seraphs, or seraphim in plural. They possess six wings: two for flight, two for face veiling, and two for foot covering. Heavenly worship is led by Seraphim angels, who are the closest to God and sing unending praises to Him. Heavenly worship is led by Seraphim angels, who are the closest to God and sing unending praises to him.

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.”
Isaiah 6:1–2

Cherub

The cherub, also known in the plural form as Cherubim, is depicted as having two pairs of wings and four faces: that of a lion, an ox, a human, and an eagle. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a bull, gleaming like polished brass. They are believed to have protected the entrance of the Garden of Eden in Genesis.

“Each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: their wings touched one another; each of them moved straight ahead, without turning as they moved.”
Ezekiel 1:5-9

Thrones (Ophanim)

The Thrones, also known as Ophanim, are a type of angel described in the Bible, particularly in the Book of Ezekiel, as fiery, glowing wheels covered in eyes. They serve as part of God’s heavenly court, symbolising divine justice and power, and they are believed to carry God’s throne, moving in perfect harmony with His will.

“Now as I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, one for each of the four of them. As for the appearance of the wheels and their construction: their appearance was like the gleaming of a chrysolite; and the four had the same likeness, their construction being as it were a wheel within a wheel. When they went, they went in any of their four directions without turning as they went. The four wheels had rims and they had spokes; and their rims were full of eyes round about.”
Ezekiel 1:15-18

Dominations

They are mentioned in the Bible, as stated in Colossians 1:16.

Are held to govern the movement of stars, planets, and other celestial objects.

^“For in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him.”
Colossians 1:16

Virtues

They are known for their role in maintaining order in the universe and ensuring that the natural laws are upheld. The Virtues are often associated with acts of kindness, courage, and strength, and they are believed to inspire humans to do good deeds and live virtuous lives.

Powers/Authorities

The Powers are angels who confront and defeat malevolent entities. They are also associated with the enforcement of divine law.

Principalities/Rulers

Angels that guide and protect nations, groups of people, and institutions such as the Church. The Principalities preside over the bands of angels and charge them with fulfilling the divine ministry. Some administer, and some assist.

Archangel

A specific rank of angels, entrusted with particular tasks. For example, the archangel Gabriel told Mary that she would have a son and name him Jesus.

“The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.’”
Luke 1: 30-31

Angel

Also known as a guardian angel. They are assigned to protect and guide a particular person, group or nation.

“’Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.’”
Matthew 18:10

Demons are believed to be fallen angels who rebelled against God. One such angel, like Lucifer, was cast out along with other angels and became known as Satan, the embodiment of evil. In the Bible, Satan is referred to as “the prince of this world”.

They are considered evil and deceptive spiritual beings who actively work to tempt and lead people away from God and into sin, with the intent of leading their souls to damnation (Hell) after death.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, hell is the “state of definitive self-exclusion from communion with God and the blessed.” Hell is the eternal separation from God for those who have freely chosen to reject His love and grace. Catholics believe that Hell is not a place of physical torment alone, but rather the absence of God, which is the ultimate suffering for a soul.

The Catholic Church teaches that demons can possess, or influence individuals and that spiritual protection and prayer are necessary to resist their influence. If a person becomes possessed by a demon, they require an exorcist for help.

“The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
Revelation 12:9

Exorcists are priests with specialised training who have the authorisation to perform exorcisms, which are rituals carried out to drive out demons or evil spirits from individuals believed to be possessed. The exorcist adheres to specific procedures and prayers outlined by the Church to confront and expel the possessing entity.

The Catholic Church takes the practice of exorcism seriously and assigns exorcists to handle cases of demonic possession with great care and discernment. In January 1999, the Catholic Church made revisions to the Rite of Exorcism, allowing the traditional Rite of Exorcism in Latin as an option. Exorcism is considered a dangerous spiritual undertaking. The ritual assumes that possessed individuals maintain their free will, although the demon may control their physical body. It involves prayers, blessings, and invocations using the document “Of Exorcisms and Certain Supplications.”

In the contemporary era, Catholic bishops seldom authorise exorcisms, as they approach potential cases with the presumption that mental or physical illness is the more likely cause.

The Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith

“From there he set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet. Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.”
Mark 7:24-30

Jesus Exorcising a Mute

“Now he was casting out a demon that was mute; when the demon had gone out, the one who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” Others, to test him, kept demanding from him a sign from heaven. But he knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself becomes a desert, and house falls on house. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? —for you say that I cast out the demons by Beelzebul. Now if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your exorcists cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his castle, his property is safe. But when one stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away his armour in which he trusted and divides his plunder. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.’”
Luke 11: 14-23

Temptation of Christ

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,

‘One does not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
    and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,

‘Worship the Lord your God,
    and serve only him.’”

Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.”
Matthew 4: 1-11

Jesus Heals the Gerasene Demoniac

“They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when he had stepped out of the boat, immediately a man out of the tombs with an unclean spirit met him. He lived among the tombs; and no one could restrain him any more, even with a chain; for he had often been restrained with shackles and chains, but the chains he wrenched apart, and the shackles he broke in pieces; and no one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always howling and bruising himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him; and he shouted at the top of his voice, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he had said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” He begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now there on the hillside a great herd of swine was feeding; and the unclean spirits begged him, “Send us into the swine; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the swine; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and were drowned in the sea.

The swineherds ran off and told it in the city and in the country. Then people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus and saw the demoniac sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demoniac and to the swine reported it. Then they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. But Jesus refused, and said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.”
Mark 5:1-20