By Christina Lazaroo
PENANG — Some 130 participants gathered at Taiping Catholic Church recently for a catechetical formation titled Angels & Demons, organised by the Penang Diocesan Catechetical Commission (PDCC) in collaboration with the Penang Diocesan Healing & Deliverance Ministry (H&D).
The formation, attended primarily by Evangelising Catechists from across the Diocese of Penang as well as members of the laity, aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of the Church’s teachings on the spiritual realm and to equip catechists with a clearer foundation for teaching and accompanying others in the faith.
Deacon Clement Samuel, the Catechetical head of the Penang Diocese, gave a short introduction on why this topic matters. He shared that with the rise of secularisation and people drifting away from God, many are becoming oppressed by the evil one. Deacon Charles Lazaroo, head of the Penang Diocesan Healing & Deliverance (H&D) Ministry, then spoke on the Church’s teaching about angels and demons. Drawing from the Nicene Creed, he explained that angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve Him and assist humanity in the journey toward salvation. The session also reflected on the role of guardian angels and the reality of demons, who were created good but chose to fall through their own free will.
In the second session, Glenn Andrews from the H&D Ministry, explored how the devil works in the modern world. He explained that while possession is rare, people can experience other forms of extraordinary works such as obsession or oppression when delving into the occult or live in serious sin. More often, people experience the ordinary works of the devil such as the most common spiritual struggle that comes through ordinary temptations or doubts that slowly draw people away from God. Participants were encouraged to remain vigilant and rooted in prayer, particularly in today’s digital age, where various influences can shape beliefs and behaviour.
Arokiadass Anthonysamy, also from H&D Ministry, then spoke on Steps to Freedom in Christ, reminding participants that through baptism, every Christian shares in Christ’s victory over sin and evil. He emphasised the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and inner healing, as well as the central role of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Eucharist in living a life of freedom in Christ.
The formation concluded with a catechesis by Deacon Clement on The Armour of God, encouraging participants to live lives rooted in virtue, prayer, and the Word of God.
Participants shared that the formation helped deepen their awareness of spiritual realities and the need to remain steadfast in faith. Riya, an RCIA candidate from Taiping Catholic Church said, “I learned many new teachings about angels and how demons work. Now that I understand better, I believe I can overcome these struggles.”
Andrea, an Evangelising Catechist from Church of Divine Mercy, Penang, also shared that the formation gave her a deeper insight. “I understand more now about the hierarchy of angels. At the same time, learning about demons also helped me reflect more deeply on my own spiritual life,” she said.
Feedback from participants described the sessions as informative and insightful, with many noting that the formation helped them better understand how spiritual struggles can take place in everyday life. Several participants also expressed the importance of sharing this knowledge with family members and younger generations so that they may grow in awareness and faith.
The formation concluded with a time of healing prayer and ministering, providing participants with an opportunity for spiritual renewal and encouragement in their walk with Christ.
