Yes, the Catholic Church indeed still believes in purgatory. This teaching is not an obscure theological footnote but a significant aspect of Catholic eschatology—the part of theology concerned with death, judgment, and the final destiny of the soul and of humankind.
Purgatory is a state of purification for souls who have died in God's grace but still need to be purified of the temporal effects of sin before entering heaven. This teaching is based on the understanding that nothing unclean will enter the presence of God in heaven (Revelation 21:27). Purgatory reflects God's mercy, offering a process of purification to ensure souls are wholly sanctified for the beatific vision, the direct encounter with God in heaven.
The Church's belief in purgatory underscores the importance of prayers for the deceased, suggesting that the living can assist the souls in purgatory through their prayers and sacrifices, particularly through the Mass. This practice is rooted in Scripture and Tradition, with early Christians praying for the dead, a practice that finds its basis in passages like 2 Maccabees 12:45-46, which commend prayers for the deceased to be released from their sins.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraphs 1030-1032, clearly articulates the nature of purgatory, emphasizing it as a merciful cleansing fire for those who die in God's friendship, yet still imperfectly purified. The councils of Florence and Trent further defined the Church's teaching on purgatory, highlighting its existence and the beneficial impact of the prayers of the faithful for the souls undergoing purification.
Purgatory is fundamentally about God's love, ensuring that souls are prepared to enter into eternal communion with Him in heaven. It is a hopeful doctrine, affirming the continued journey of the soul towards complete union with God and the communal nature of salvation, where the prayers of the Church militant benefit the Church suffering.
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