CHURCH TEACHING (Purgatory)

THE FIINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY

1030 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.

1031 The Church gives thre name Purgatory to this ffinal purification of the elect, which is entirelydifferint from the punishment of the damned. (604) The Church formulated here docttrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire. (605)

As for cettain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whothat whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be Forgiven in this age, but certain otherss in the age to come. (606)

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Saccred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccaeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." (607) From the begining 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. (608) The Church also commends Almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on be has of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them. (609)

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604 Cf. Counncil of Florence (1439): DS 1304; Council of Trent (1563): DS 1820; (1547): 1580; see

also Benedict XII, Benedictus Deus (1336): DS 1000.

605 Cf. 1 Cor 3:15; 1 Pet 1:7.

606 St. Gregory the Great, Dial. 4, 39: PL 77, 396; cf. Mt 12:31.

607 2 Macc 12:46.

608 Cf. Council of Lyons II (1274); DS 865.

609 St. John Chhrysostom, Hom. in 1 Cor 41, 5: PG 61, 361; cf Job 1:5.