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Q :
What's with purgatory? It seems like it's some cheesy waiting room for Catholics. I've never seen anything about it in the Bible. In fact, the word purgatory doesn't even appear in the Bible. Ha! So how do you defend that? It's very un-Biblical. Basically, you're wrong for believing it, Lino.
      -S.S.

A:
Your email is so pleasant that I'm wondering if your initials are S.S. - or if you're in the S.S.
Loosen up a little, will ya? You know, the more uncharitable you are...the more time you'll spend in purgatory...

Well lets clear up a couple of things for you:
I'm wrong about lots of things in life. Professionally (check out this website for proof), my choice of cologne (High Karate with a splash of Brut)...the list goes on and on.

But purgatory's existence is not based on what I personally believe. It's based on both Scripture and Tradition of the Catholic Church. And, not surprisingly, I have very little say in what the Catholic Church teaches.

One reason you don't find the word "purgatory" in the Bible is because it never appears there. So that might have something to do with your search being unfruitful. But then again, the word "Trinity" doesn't appear in the Bible, either. Yet all Christians believe in the Trinity. So I see your "Ha!" and raise you a "Ha Ha!"

Purgatory is not a cheesy waiting room, either. (Though, come to think of it, have you ever seen a waiting room that isn't cheesy?)

Anyway, in 2nd Maccabees 12:44-46 it says that it's a good and holy thing to pray for the dead.

Now think about that. Why would the Bible say that? If there's only heaven or hell, praying for the dead is unnecessary.
If someone's in heaven - great! They don't need our prayers.
If they're in hell - oops. It's too late for our prayers.

So it seems there's someplace else...traditionally known as purgatory.

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