The Dispute with Catholics – Purgatory
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the concept of purgatory as taught by the Catholic Church and critiques it from the Coptic Orthodox faith perspective, affirming that salvation and purification are accomplished solely through the Blood of Christ, not through post-death suffering.
Lecture Summary
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His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the concept of purgatory presents a dark image of life after death by assuming temporary suffering for most people.
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He clarifies that this teaching divides humanity into saints who immediately enter heaven, sinners who go to hell, and a middle group who are tormented in purgatory.
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He rejects this division because it contradicts Christ’s clear promise of salvation, such as His promise to the repentant thief to enter Paradise immediately.
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He raises a theological question: if sins are forgiven through repentance and absolution, what is the purpose of purgatory and punishment after forgiveness?
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He discusses the issue of the soul being punished alone without the body, considering this a spiritual injustice that contradicts divine justice.
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He affirms that belief in purgatory weakens faith in the sufficiency of Christ’s Blood, as if redemption were incomplete and required human suffering.
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He explains that sin is unlimited and cannot be redeemed by limited suffering, but only by the unlimited sacrifice of Christ.
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He clarifies that the Church’s prayers for the departed ask for rest in Paradise, not for relief from purgatorial suffering.
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He clearly states that the only purgatory the Church believes in is the Blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses from every sin.
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He concludes with a theological explanation that the gates of Paradise were opened by the crucifixion of Christ, and there is no longer a sword of fire or guarding after redemption.
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