The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a "purification so to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven", which is experienced by those "who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified...This final purification of the elect...is entirely different from the punishment of the damned"(CCC 1030-1031).  I made a couple of reels on IG to promote my Souls T-shirt and I received a few DMs from Christians claiming purgatory is a false doctrine made up by the Catholic Church to make money and that the word 'purgatory' isn't found anywhere in the Bible. I didn't respond to these messages because I really don't want to argue on the internet and I'm certainly not a theologian qualified to make these arguments with Pastor Bob (not a real name). I know in my heart it is real and these Holy souls need our prayers. One of my favorite things to do is to go to a cemetery and pray the rosary, there are so many beautiful cemeteries in my area. Anyway, I got to thinking maybe I should do some research so that I can explain the Church's teaching. I mean, I am putting myself out there so I shouldn't ignore the reactions I am getting. The people who sent these messages are not trying to harm me. They are Christians and believe they are helping me and of course it makes a great topic for a blog. All of what I am about to share is taken from Catholic Answers.  Firstly, the Catholic Church did not invent the concept of purgatory to make money. This idea came from the Middle Ages when there was a corrupt clergy selling indulgences that would remit the time spent in purgatory. Though a true story, prayers for the dead and the consequent doctrine on purgatory have been part of the true religion since before the time of Christ. Not only can we show it was practiced by the Jews in the time of the Maccabees(2Macc12:43-45), but it has even been retained by Orthodox Jews today, who recite a prayer known as the Mourner’s Kaddish for eleven months after the person dies so that they may be purified to enter heaven. We can also point to the first three centuries of the Church (when there was no bible) where Christians during the persecutions recorded prayers for the dead in the catacombs. Indeed, some of the earliest Christian writings outside of the New Testament like the Acts of Paul and Thecla and the Martyrdom of Perpetua and Felicity (both written during the second century), refer to Christians praying for the dead. Such prayers would only be offered if they believed in a third place after death for those in hell, prayers do not matter, and those in heaven do not need them. There are many other examples and writings on prayer for the dead and purgatory by earlier Christians and I will refer you to a Catholic Answers tract called the Roots of Purgatory if you are interested in learning more.  Secondly, the other claim that the word 'purgatory' is not found in the bible is also a true claim but does not prove that purgatory doesn’t exist. The words 'Trinity' and 'Incarnation' are not in bible either, yet these doctrines are clearly taught in it. The concept of an after-death purification from sin and the consequences of sin are also stated in the New Testament in passages such as 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, Matthew 5:25-26 and Matthew 12:31-32.     Finally, Some Fundamentalists will say that the doctrine of purgatory negates the fact that Christ's death and resurrection paid in full the divine justice owed to us because of sin. It is true that Jesus paid in full the debt owed and accomplished our salvation, but it does not settle the question of how this salvation is applied to us. Scripture reveals that it is applied to us through sanctification which involves suffering (Rom5:35) and purgatory is the final stage that some will need to enter heaven for "nothing unclean will enter heaven"(Rev21:2). Sanctification is not an option; it is a requirement as Hebrews 12:14 states that we must strive "for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord".  So, my friends, pray, pray, pray for these poor souls, they cannot pray for themselves and need our help. It is our Christian duty.