«Quia et homines angeli». Uomini «angeli» nella riflessione dei Padri

Starting point of the paper is a passage in the Liber Apologeticus, attributed to the priscillianist sect, which designates the auctoritas of an angelus as a prerequisite for the definition of the divine inspiration of a text. The A. analyzes the texts of patristic literature where the title of angelus is applied to a human being; this label, according to the Fathers, is due to prophets, first of all to John the Baptist, but also to bishops, priests and preachers; only Augustine prefers to attribute it to the angelic condition of men in the eschatological reality. In the light of this analysis the A. concludes that the title of angelus in the priscillianist apology has to be interpreted in relation to a man or a woman who, by virtue of his role, of his way of life and of his merit, has been deemed worthy to manifest the spirit of prophecy, has got the gift of prophecy and achieved the title of angelus.