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Apologetics Minute: Purgatory

 

 

“What is Purgatory and why does the Catholic Church believe it exists?”

Purgatory is a state after death where the soul is purified and prepared for communion with God in heaven. The Catholic Church believes Purgatory exists because a state of purification after death is often referred to in the Bible (see Lk 12:47-48, 58-59; Mat 5:26, 12:32). In 2 Mac 12:43-45, one sees the practice of praying for the souls of the dead, a pointless practice if there were only heaven or hell. Also, Jesus commanded us to “be perfect” like God (Mat 5:48), which is an unreachable level of perfection here on earth. This command is impossible unless further purification occurs in a state the Catholic Church calls Purgatory. Finally, the Bible refers to a purifying fire for souls in 1 Cor 3:15, which the Church has used to develop its belief in Purgatory.

 

 

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“He can no longer have God for his Father, who    has not the church for his mother."                       

                                               - Cyprian of Carthage 

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