purgatory

Purgatory is a concept in Christian theology describing a state or process of purification after death for souls who die in a state of grace but who still bear the consequences of sin. It is traditionally understood as distinct from eternal punishment in hell, and as a preparation for entering heaven.

Roman Catholic teaching holds that purgatory is a real, temporary cleansing or purification, where souls undergo purification to achieve the holiness necessary to see God. The duration and nature are not precisely defined. The living can assist the departed through prayers, Masses, and almsgiving; indulgences can reduce the temporal punishment required. Historically, the doctrine was developed in the early centuries and was clarified by the medieval church; it was formally affirmed at the Council of Trent (16th century) in the Catholic tradition.

Other Christian traditions diverge. Most Protestant denominations reject purgatory as non-biblical and emphasize salvation as a present gift. Anglican and some Eastern churches retain some belief in post-death purification but without a fully defined Catholic doctrine. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, prayers for the dead and a belief in possible purification after death exist, but purgatory is not defined as a separate dogmatic state. In popular culture, purgatory is often portrayed as a literal place of punishment or a staging ground for souls, as in Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Overall, purgatory is a contested and variably defined concept across Christian traditions, shaped by theology, liturgy, and devotional practice.