Purgatory is a temporary state after death where souls go to be purified of sin before entering heaven. Not all souls go to purgatory, only those who die in God’s grace but still have venial sins or the temporal punishment due to forgiven mortal sins to atone for. Determining who qualifies for purgatory depends on understanding Catholic doctrine about sin, forgiveness, and the requirements for entering heaven.
What is purgatory?
According to Catholic teaching, purgatory is a state after death where souls undergo purification to achieve the holiness necessary to enter heaven. It is a final cleansing of human imperfection before one is able to enter the perfection of heaven. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:
All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven. The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect. (CCC 1030-1031)
Purgatory is not explicitly mentioned in Scripture, but is believed to be implied by certain biblical passages (2 Maccabees 12:39-46, Matthew 12:32, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15). The Church formulated the doctrine over time, based on Scripture and Tradition. It was affirmed by Church councils such as Lyon II and Florence in the 13th/15th centuries and defined at the Council of Trent in 1563.
Why do some souls go to purgatory?
According to Catholicism, those who die in the state of mortal sin cannot go directly to heaven but are condemned to hell. However, some souls die in a state of grace and friendship with God, and are assured of heaven, but first need purification from:
- Venial sins: These are minor sins that weaken charity and impede the soul’s progress, but without destroying sanctifying grace. Every Christian commits venial sins regularly throughout life. Souls must be cleansed of attachment to venial sins before entering heaven.
- Temporal punishment due to forgiven mortal sins: Mortal sins deprive the soul of sanctifying grace and merit hell. But mortal sins can be forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. However, forgiveness does not always remove all punishment due to the gravity of the sin. Any remaining temporal punishment must be satisfied in purgatory.
Purgatory is where souls are purified from lingering minor sins and undergo any remaining temporal punishment for grave sins already forgiven during life. Once purified, they are ready to enter heaven.
What are the requirements to avoid purgatory?
For a soul to go directly to heaven instead of purgatory, two requirements must be met:
- Dying in a state of grace: This means dying without any mortal sins that deprive the soul of sanctifying grace. Minor sins can be forgiven through contrition, prayer, and reception of the sacraments.
- Complete remission of temporal punishment: This can be achieved through:
- Indulgences: These grant remission of temporal punishment either partially or completely.
- Heroic virtue: Living a life of exceptional holiness and self-sacrifice mitigates remaining punishment.
- Acceptance of death: Embracing one’s death with love and union with Christ’s sacrifice can remove remaining punishment.
Therefore, souls that die free of mortal sin, with no attachment to venial sins or minor imperfections, and who have satisfied the temporal punishment for previous grave sins through indulgences, virtue, or acceptance of death, can bypass purgatory and enter directly into heaven.
What types of sins or issues might cause a soul to need purgatory?
Here are some examples of sins, imperfections, or issues that could cause a soul to require purification in purgatory before heaven:
- Deliberate venial sins: Knowingly committing minor sins like lying, gossip, or impurity out of carelessness, without contrition.
- Lukewarm faith: Going through the motions of faith without zeal, devotion, and loving relationship with Christ.
- Worldly attachments: Clinging to possessions, comforts, honors, or power instead of detachment.
- Selfish habits: Tendencies like ego, pride, envy, greed, anger etc. that are contrary to selfless charity.
- Unconfessed mortal sins: Grave sins never confessed or properly atoned for, though forgiven at death through an act of contrition.
- Lack of generosity: Stinginess in sharing gifts of time, talents and treasure with those in need.
These and many other imperfections or issues of sin demonstrate ways in which the soul remains overly attached to worldly things, self, and sin. Purgatory purifies these attachments so the soul can be perfected in love of God and neighbor.
What are some biblical examples of those likely needing purgatory?
Though purgatory is never explicitly mentioned in Scripture, some biblical figures can be considered likely candidates to have passed through purgatory on their way to heaven:
The Good Thief (Luke 23:39-43)
This criminal who was crucified beside Jesus repented of his sins and demonstrated faith in Christ. Jesus promised he would be in paradise that very day. However, having led a sinful criminal life until the end, it is likely he still had temporal punishment due for his sins that required purgatory.
King David (2 Samuel 11-12)
Though David was generally a righteous king, he committed serious sins of adultery and murder. Though he repented, confessed his sin, and was forgiven by God, he still may have needed purification in purgatory to satisfy the gravity of his crimes before entering heaven.
Apostle Peter (Matthew 16:21-23)
Despite being chosen by Jesus to lead the Church, Peter demonstrated flaws like trying to dissuade Jesus from his Passion, and denying knowing Christ three times during his trial. Peter likely required purification from these faults and weaknesses before entering heaven.
The Saved Sinner (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
Paul uses the metaphor of a man whose works are burned up though he himself is still saved. This indicates venial faults and attachment to worldly things being burned away through a purifying fire before entering heaven.
Can souls in purgatory enter heaven eventually?
Yes, the Church affirms that souls in purgatory are destined for heaven once their purification is complete. As the Catechism states:
This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: “Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin.” (2 Maccabees 12:46) From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. (CCC 1032)
Prayers, indulgences, and Masses offered by the living can speed the purification of souls in purgatory. But once cleansed of all imperfections, they are assured entry to heaven and the fullness of life and joy with God forever.
Who has the authority to determine who needs purgatory?
The Catholic Church has the authority from Christ to bind and loose sins and determine the requirements for entry to heaven. As Christ told St. Peter:
“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)
And the Church Fathers attested to this authority:
“The Church does have power to forgive sins.” (Tertullian, Modesty 10:1, AD 220)
“It is certain that the Church has the power of forgiving sins.” (Augustine, Letters 164:7, AD 412)
Through this authority given by Christ, the Church teaches that purgatory exists as a state of purification for souls destined for heaven who still have venial sins or temporal punishments to atone for. And the Church can grant indulgences to remit temporal punishment and speed souls’ progress to final union with God in heaven.
How can individuals avoid purgatory for themselves?
Though nothing unclean can enter heaven (Revelation 21:27), individuals can take steps during life to avoid a long stay in purgatory after death:
- Frequent confession and penance for sins
- Generous granting and receiving of indulgences
- Wholehearted participation in Mass and worship
- Commitment to perform works of charity and mercy
- Cultivation of humility, self-denial, and detachment from worldly things
- Patient endurance of suffering united to Christ’s sacrifice
Living in this way throughout life, through God’s grace, can help remove attachment to sin and purge temporal punishments so that one can hope to enter heaven directly upon death.
Can loved ones help souls in purgatory reach heaven faster?
Yes, the prayer and sacrifices of loved ones can shorten the time souls spend in purgatory. The Catechism encourages this:
From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. (CCC 1032)
Ways living loved ones can help those who have died include:
- Having Masses offered for the repose of their soul
- Praying for them, especially offering indulgenced prayers and acts
- Performing penances and sacrifices on their behalf
- Giving alms, making pilgrimages, or doing other pious works for them
This lessens the suffering of purgatory and can help the poor souls reach the full glory and joy of heaven more quickly.
Conclusion
In summary, purgatory is a state of purification for souls destined for heaven who still must atone for venial sins or temporal punishments from past mortal sins. The Catholic Church teaches that not all souls go directly to heaven. Those dying in God’s grace but still imperfectly purified undergo purgation so that nothing unclean enters heaven. However, loved ones can assist those souls through their prayers, sacrifices and pious works. And ultimately, all souls in purgatory are assured of eventual entry to heaven and full union with God after their purification is complete.