Fourth Lateran Council (1215) – We firmly believe: dogmatic definition on angels and demons

# Fourth Latin Ecumenical Council (1215)## Presided by Pope Innocent III and the largest medieval council, this document contains a fundamental dogmatic definition on angels and demons in its first chapter (“Firmiter Credimus”). It is the most important magisterial text on angelology and demonology until Vatican II, referenced in all subsequent catechisms.### Details:– **Council:** Fourth Latin Ecumenical Council – **Pope:** Innocent III – **Date:** November 11-30, 1215 – **Document:** Constitution *De Fide Catholica* – Chapter 1 “Firmiter Credimus” – **Source:** Denzinger-Schoenmetzer 800; COD 230-231## Full Latin Text – Chapter 1 (Firmiter)> **Firmiter credimus et simpliciter confitemur, quod unus solus est verus Deus, aeternus, immensus et incommutabilis, incomprehensibilis, omnipotens et ineffabilis, Pater et Filius et Spiritus Sanctus: tres quidem personae, sed una essentia, substantia seu natura simplex omnino: […]**> **Unus universorum principium: creator omnium invisibilium et visibilium, spiritualium et corporalium: qui sua omnipotenti virtute simul ab initio temporis utramque de nihilo condidit creaturam, spiritualem et corporalem, angelicam videlicet et mundanam: ac deinde humanam, quasi communem ex spiritu et corpore constitutam.**> **Diabolus enim et alii daemones a Deo quidem natura creati sunt boni, sed ipsi per se facti sunt mali. Homo vero diaboli suggestione peccavit.**## Full Portuguese Translation:> **Firmemente cremos e simplesmente confessamos que um só é o verdadeiro Deus, eterno, imenso e imutável, incompreensível, omnipotente e inefável, Pai e Filho e Espírito Santo: três pessoas verdadeiramente, mas uma essência, substância ou natureza absolutamente simples: […]**> **Único princípio do universo: criador de todas as coisas visíveis e invisíveis, espirituais e corporais: que com o seu omnipotente poder, desde o início do tempo, criou simultaneamente do nada uma e outra criatura, a espiritual e a corporal, isto é, a angélica e a mundana, e depois a humana, como uma criatura comum constituída de espírito e corpo.**> **O Diabo e os outros demónios foram, na verdade, por Deus criados naturalmente bons, mas eles próprios por si tornaram-se maus. O homem, porém, pecou por sugestão do diabo.**## Five Dogmatic AffirmationsThe Lateranense IV defines in Chapter Firmiter five fundamental truths about spiritual beings:1. **Nature of Angels and Demons:** Angels and demons are created by God as inherently good, but they become evil through their own choice. 2. **Creation:** Both angels and humans are created from nothing (ex nihilo) by God’s omnipotent power. 3. **Essence:** There is only one essence or nature: that of God, who exists in three distinct persons. 4. **Goodness and Evil:** Goodness is inherent to God alone; all other beings can be good or evil according to their choices. 5. **Original Sin:** Humans, due to the temptation of Satan, have sinned from the beginning of humanity.

1. Existence of Angels: God created purely spiritual beings (the “angelic creature“), against gnostic materialism.
2. Temporal Creation: Angels were created in time, “from the beginning of time“, and are not co-eternal with God.
3. Original Goodness: “They were by nature created good” (a Deo natura creati sunt boni), against Manichaean dualism.
4. Angels’ Freedom: The fall was not due to necessity of their nature but through free choice, “they themselves became evil.”
5. Satan’s Role in Human Fall: “Man sinned through Satan’s suggestion” (homo vero diaboli suggestione peccavit), cf. Genesis 3.

Significance for Theology

The Lateranense IV conciliar decree settles dogmatically issues that divided medieval theologians:

• Against the Cathars and Albigenses: who affirmed absolute dualism, two eternal principles, one good (God) and one evil (Satan). The Council defines there is only one creative principle, and even Satan was created good.
• Against Gnostics: who denied the material creation by God. The Council affirms God created all things, spiritual and corporeal.
• Against any Determinism: that denies the freedom of spiritual beings. The Council asserts demons chose evil.

Magisterial Heritage

The text “Firmiter credimus” from Lateranense IV was fully quoted by:

• Florence Council (1442): Bull Cantate Domino
• Trent Council: Session III, Creed
• Roman Catechism of St. Pius V (1566): see post on Roman Catechism
• Vatican I (1870): Constitution Dei Filius cap. 1
• Vatican II: Lumen Gentium nn. 49-50 (saints in heaven)
• Catholic Catechism (1992): nn. 327-336 (angels) and 391-395 (fall of angels)

Pastoral Implications

1. The existence of angels is a defined dogma, not a matter of free opinion.
2. Demons exist as personal beings, not merely as “forces of evil.”
3. The fall of demons was free, irreversible, and final.
4. Humans can be tempted by Satan, but are not forced to sin.
5. Every demon temptation can be overcome through Christ’s grace.

Further Reading

Catholic Catechism | Roman Catechism 1566 | Lumen Gentium

Also see: What is Angeology? Angels in the Bible and in the Magisterium

Check out our comprehensive guide to Catholic Angeology.