Things we need to know

Seriously.

John Kasaian defends his position - taken at a Communio  group one evening - that Catholics may not call an angel by any name other than the three names given in the Bible, lest they be calling on the Other Side by mistake.  He refers us to this EWTN Q&A:

My question is this: What other angel names exist other than Michael, Raphael, Gabriel? Were angels other than these given names? If so, is there a list of names available? Thank you for your time and kindness and thank you most of all for the gift of EWTN and the blessing to the world that it is! Sincerely, Christina


Answer by Colin B. Donovan, STL on 12-13-2007:

If you don't count the names by which the fallen Enemy of God is called, the only angel names we know for sure are the three revealed in Scripture. In various non-scriptural texts, such as the inter-testamental books of Jewish origin, some liturgical texts of the Coptic Church, and in the writings of some mystics, other angel names are given. We cannot verify the truth of them, however, and so the Catholic Church does not utilize such names in her practice. This was made clear in a decree of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith a few years ago, which stated that Catholics should not make a "cultus" (meaning a devotion) to angels by names other than these three. This is more than wise advice, it is a binding norm for Catholics.

One note, this does not exclude refering to angels by their function, such as one's Guardian Angel, or the Guardian Angel of others. Such a practice uniquely describes that angel. As common Church teaching asserts, the angels fullfil the Lord's will in governing the universe, nature, in guarding human beings and societies of human beings (the parish, diocese, town, state nation) etc., so that they could be addressed by function. However, we should not seek to know their personal names, lest being deceived we call on another kind of angel, one not concerned with our eternal well-being. In any case, the angels are not interested in our attention, except as it relates to fulfilling their mission before God and getting us to fulfill ours.

Catholicism is filled with this kind of concrete reasoning about nebulous theological propositions, which is very cool.