How do you end up in purgatory?

Question

You go to heaven for good things, and hell for doing bad things. How is it possible for someone to be in purgatory, the in-between basically?

Answer 1

One never "ends up" in Purgatory. Purgatory is a temporary, intermediate state of being, and it always results in being admitted to heaven.

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."85

III. THE FINAL 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 the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.606 The Church formulated her doctrine 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:607


As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that 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 others in the age to come.608

1032 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."609 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.610 The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf 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.611

Answer 2

Purgatory is a Roman Catholic belief for which there is absolutely no Scriptural support. The same applies to Limbo

Answer 3

You don't! There is no such place. Just another lie of the Catholic church who preach a works for salvation plan which is totally against the Word of the Lord. My wife used to be a Catholic but is now a born again believer in Jesus Christ and totally denounces the teachings of the catholic Church as they are guilty of heresy.

Answer 4

You don't 'end up' in purgatory. It's just a sort of transit lounge, so they tell me.
Personally, I'd rather be in Valhalla - the beer's better.

Answer 5

purgatory is a false teaching of roman catholics

Answer 6

i don't need to answer this as i can see you have more than enough and i would just be repeating the same BUT just wonted to let you know that i was a interesting question Ozzie Robbie :-0

Answer 7

I'm not sure .

I think it has to do with unrepented sins according to the Catholic doctrine