I actually know the answer to this question but it appears to me that many people on here don't really know. So I decided to set the record straight. So do you think the Pope got rid of the idea of Purgatory or not and why.
2007-07-17 10:03:07 · 18 answers · asked by Ten Commandments 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Oh come on be courteous people. And I'd like you guys to elaborate a little more.
2007-07-17 10:08:34 · update #1
Ok the Pope didn't get rid of the idea of Purgatory or Limbo. (Sounds like a trick question I know)
The idea of Purgatory is based on the idea is based on the books of Judah Maccabees which are only in the Catholic Bible. The reason they are only in the Catholic Bible is because King James decided he didn't like the Catholic Church anymore and he had the Bible retranslated and he left the books of Maccabees out. (One can only speculate why) The principal of Purgatory is that only the people who are perfect can enter Heaven. But what if you're not exactly perfect but you don't really deserve to go to Hell for all eternity? Well that's when you go to Purgatory to be purified.
2007-07-18 07:52:38 · update #2
Ok now Limbo. The Bible says that when Christ rose from the dead he opened the gates of heaven. If the gates were closed, than where did all the rightous people go? They had to go somewhere so they called the place limbo. (I have no idea why they called it limbo)
2007-07-18 07:55:13 · update #3
So what did the Pope do? Well Catholics believe that you have to be baptized to go to Heaven. Well where do aborted babies (the Church believes they are babies at the point of conception) go? Most people just assumed they went to limbo because they didn't do anything wrong so they couldn't go to Hell. The pope said they go straight to Heaven.
Hope I straightened the confusion up a bit.
2007-07-18 07:58:37 · update #4
No.
Limbo is out. Purgatory is in.
+ Limbo +
The Church has pondered the suggestion of Limbo for a few hundred years and has decided that it is not a good idea. Limbo was never official doctrine.
Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved." (Mark 16:15-16)
For centuries, people have wondered about children who died before they were baptized. The Bible does not explicitly state that they will go to heaven.
Limbo was suggested as the place where unbaptized babies went when they died. This idea was never official Church doctrine and has been rejected.
The Church now says that it is not sure what happens to unbaptized babies when they die but she entrusts them to the mercy of God.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Chruch section 1261: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt2sect2.htm#1261
+ Purgatory +
"But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire." (1 Cor 3:15)
"So that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Pet 1:7)
Are you perfect now? Most people would say no.
Will you be perfect in heaven? Most people believe yes.
Purgatory (or purgation) is the process of God's love changing our imperfect selves into perfect beings.
Depending on the amount of change needed by different people, this can be an easy or slightly harder process.
Everyone in purgatory is on his or her way to heaven.
I do not think Mother Teresa of Calcutta had a very hard time of it.
For more information see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 1030: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt1sect2chpt3art12.htm
+ With love in Christ.
2007-07-17 15:37:23 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. He can't toss out official Church teaching. Purgatory is supported by both scripture and tradition. It's not going anywhere.
The pope did make it clear that limbo is not an official teaching of the Church and never has been. Although he left open the possibility that it could exist. However, limbo and purgatory are two completely different things altogether.
2007-07-17 17:11:54 · answer #2 · answered by The Raven † 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It was a clarification of a belief in limbo, not purgatory at all.
(Unless I missed something)
I have no problem with the Catholic Belief on Purgatory, it makes to much sense.
Either way it was not a change of Cannon law.
Peace be with you!
2007-07-17 17:22:39 · answer #3 · answered by C 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It appears the Church (The Pope) has admitted that yes, its a made up concept and cannot be supported Biblically so it is being debated whether or not it should be kept in the teachings, though I havent heard a conclusion to the debate.
My bad... I confuse limbo and purgatory.. it's limbo being removed (or discussing the removal)
2007-07-17 17:09:06 · answer #4 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No he only removed limbo for unchristened baby's but as the to are similar in a way I can understand many being confused.
2007-07-17 17:07:36 · answer #5 · answered by Mim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know the answer too, so I guess I don't have to answer.
EDIT
have thought about my answer overnight and I think it was a bit smug. I will admit until not too long ago I confused Limbo and Purgatory.
2007-07-17 17:28:25 · answer #6 · answered by Adoptive Father 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No he didn't. He only said that we do not have to believe in Limbo as it was just a way of trying to explain where babies were going due to the fact that they were not baptized
2007-07-17 17:25:16 · answer #7 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I hope not.. because a lot of Catholic believe in Purgatory and so do I.
2007-07-17 17:08:11 · answer #8 · answered by Deaf Cowgirl 27 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Though Purgatory had been a theological "theory" in the Catholic Church for years, it has now been officially denounced by the Church. It was never a concrete fact of Catholicism, though. It was a hypothesis that has now been officially rejected.
2007-07-17 17:14:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
I don't think so. The Catholics still believe in it.
2007-07-17 17:06:48 · answer #10 · answered by Sick Puppy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋