How Come You Catholics believe the fairy tale called Purgatory?

“How come you Catholics believe in the fairy tale called Purgatory? That word is not even in the Bible, and yet you Catholics say that God gets a kick out of torturing people before letting them into Heaven. The whole idea is just a medieval invention by the Vatican, designed to trick people into paying money to the Church to relieve the suffering of their deceased loved ones. That’s why you Catholics are not real Christians!”

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Wow, have you ever been confronted with these questions by a friend or co-worker or, most zealous of all, a family member who USED to be Catholic? How do you respond? Is it really true that we Catholics believe in a place of torture called Purgatory, but it’s actually just a fairy tale?

First, regarding whether the word Purgatory appears in the Bible, it’s true that it is not there. However, other words and phrases also are not in the Bible, such as: “Bible,” “Trinity,” “Easter,” “Incarnation,” and one of the most beloved Christian concepts of all time, “Pot-luck supper.” (Well, at least it’s beloved by me.) If our sole litmus test is that a word must appear in the Bible, then a lot of key doctrines and long-standing traditions would be right out the window.

Even though the word Purgatory is not in the Bible, its existence can be deduced from Scripture. First, the Bible is clear that only people who are pure and holy will get to Heaven. “Nothing impure will ever enter [Heaven]” (Rev. 21.27). “…without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).

Next, some sins can be forgiven after death. Jesus said, “…anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” (Matt. 12:32).

The Bible also indicates there is some kind of third possible destination after death, which is neither Heaven nor Hell. “[Jesus] was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago” (1 Peter 3:18-20).

Finally, in 1 Corinthians, chapter 3, St. Paul alludes to our earthly works being tested, as by fire. Read the chapter for yourself. Essentially he says if someone’s earthly works do not meet the test, they will suffer loss, but will be saved, as if escaping through flames. Hmm, very interesting. Paul never uses the word Purgatory, but it sure sounds like he’s describing it.

Another fascinating tidbit: in the catacombs in Rome, requests to say prayers for deceased loved ones are etched into the subterranean walls. These etchings date back to the 1st and 2nd centuries. If someone’s soul is in Heaven, he has no need for prayer. If his soul is in Hell, no amount of prayer will do any good. Offering prayers for the dead only makes sense if there really is some kind of intermediary state on the way to Heaven, a place where we can be purified before entering into the Lord’s eternal kingdom. Catholics call this Purgatory, and it’s been the Church’s belief and practice from the very beginning.

Speaking personally, I trust in the Lord. I put my faith in Jesus many years ago and I’ve tried to follow Him ever since. I’m a lot better than I used to be, but the truth is, I’m definitely not pure and holy—not even close. If I drop dead at this moment, well, if that happens, then this essay will end rather abruptly. What I mean is, if I die today, I am not ready to see the Lord face to face. I first need to have my ingrained selfishness and bad attitudes scrubbed away from my soul. I first need Purgatory.

Just because some clergy abused the doctrine of Purgatory centuries ago as a fund-raising scheme, does not invalidate the doctrine. Purgatory can be gleaned from Scriptures, and most of all, it makes sense.

Oh, and one last thing, in case you’re not sure: Catholics definitely ARE real Christians.