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Objection 1: It seems that angels can administer sacraments.
Because a higher minister can do whatever the lower can; thus a priest
can do whatever a deacon can: but not conversely. But angels are
higher ministers in the hierarchical order than any men whatsoever, as
Dionysius says (Coel. Hier. ix). Therefore, since men can be
ministers of sacraments, it seems that much more can angels be.
Objection 2: Further, in heaven holy men are likened to the angels
(Mt. 22:30). But some holy men, when in heaven, can be
ministers of the sacraments; since the sacramental character is
indelible, as stated above (Question 63, Article 5).
Therefore it seems that angels too can be ministers of sacraments.
Objection 3: Further, as stated above (Question 8, Article
7), the devil is head of the wicked, and the wicked are his
members. But sacraments can be administered by the wicked. Therefore
it seems that they can be administered even by demons.
On the contrary, It is written (Heb. 5:1): "Every high
priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that
appertain to God." But angels whether good or bad are not taken from
among men. Therefore they are not ordained ministers in the things
that appertain to God, i.e. in the sacraments.
I answer that, As stated above (Article 3; Question 62,
Article 5), the whole power of the sacraments flows from Christ's
Passion, which belongs to Him as man. And Him in their very nature
men, not angels, resemble; indeed, in respect of His Passion, He
is described as being "a little lower than the angels" (Heb.
2:9). Consequently, it belongs to men, but not to angels, to
dispense the sacraments and to take part in their administration.
But it must be observed that as God did not bind His power to the
sacraments, so as to be unable to bestow the sacramental effect without
conferring the sacrament; so neither did He bind His power to the
ministers of the Church so as to be unable to give angels power to
administer the sacraments. And since good angels are messengers of
truth; if any sacramental rite were performed by good angels, it
should be considered valid, because it ought to be evident that this is
being done by the will of God: for instance, certain churches are
said to have been consecrated by the ministry of the angels [Acta
S.S., September 29]. But if demons, who are "lying
spirits," were to perform a sacramental rite, it should be pronounced
as invalid.
Reply to Objection 1: What men do in a less perfect manner, i.e.
by sensible sacraments, which are proportionate to their nature,
angels also do, as ministers of a higher degree, in a more perfect
manner, i.e. invisibly---by cleansing, enlightening, and
perfecting.
Reply to Objection 2: The saints in heaven resemble the angels as
to their share of glory, but not as to the conditions of their nature:
and consequently not in regard to the sacraments.
Reply to Objection 3: Wicked men do not owe their power of
conferring sacraments to their being members of the devil.
Consequently, it does not follow that "a fortiori" the devil, their
head, can do so.
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