The Nature of Purgatory

[PMV]

In Purgatory do you get purified AND punished? In the Catholicism for Dummies book it says that when Jesus died for our sins, that was to make sure we could have a chance of not going to Hell, be we must STILL be punished for our sins, and that’s what Purgatory is for. Even in a book written by a Priest it said we have “mental agony” in Purgatory. Also, in a Catholic Answers book it said straight out that we experience punishments in Purgatory. The Catechism doesn’t seem to indicate any “punishment”, however. After hearing different Catholic sources contradict one another, I want the ONE truth; Is there purification AND punishment in Purgatory (keep in mind the theory that Jesus died for our possibility to avoid hell, NOT to avoid US from being punished from our sins)?

 

[Scott_Waddell]

The punishments of sin

1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the “temporal punishment” of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.84

1473 The forgiveness of sin and restoration of communion with God entail the remission of the eternal punishment of sin, but temporal punishment of sin remains. While patiently bearing sufferings and trials of all kinds and, when the day comes, serenely facing death, the Christian must strive to accept this temporal punishment of sin as a grace. He should strive by works of mercy and charity, as well as by prayer and the various practices of penance, to put off completely the “old man” and to put on the “new man.”

To be more specific Ott talks about the nature of the punishment. That there is a poena damni, which is a “temporary exclusion from the beatific vision of God” which is painful to souls who are concious of their kinship with God. Many theologians hold that their is also a poena sensus which what I gather is an actual fire that burns, but the Church has not officially declared so, the "declarations of the Councils only speak of purifying punishments (poena purgatoriae).

Scott

 

[neophyte]

Always go with the Catechism.

In purgatory we are cleansed of any remaining attachment to sin and fulfill any remaining temporal consequences of it. I suppose one could choose to call that punishment but it’s not payment for our sins.

It most likely will not be pleasant, but at the same time if you make it there you’ll know that the end results will be good.

 

[JimG]

Does Marine Corps boot camp turn civilians into Marines by purifying recruits of attachments to civilian life or by imposing physical and mental discipline? It’s all the same thing.

One thing is sure: you wouldn’t want them to walk directly from the recruiter’s office onto the battlefield.