Lazarus: So, the dead believer in purgatory is in some way being subjected to God's judgements and wrath?

Jason: Yes that is the case. Roman Catholics today will often emphasize the purgation of purgatory and the cleansing of purgatory, which is true in itself, while not hanging out the dirty laundry as to why and how that purging is accomplished. The purging is punishment, and it is necessary for making a complete satisfaction for sin.

For this reason there certainly exists between the faithful who have already reached their heavenly home, those who are expiating their sins in purgatory and those who are still pilgrims on earth a perennial link of charity and an abundant exchange of all the goods by which, with the expiation of all the sins of the entire Mystical Body, divine justice is placated. God's mercy is thus led to forgiveness, so that sincerely repentant sinners may participate as soon as possible in the full enjoyment of the benefits of the family of God. (Papal Encyclical, "Indulgentiarum Doctrina", Chapter 2, Article 5, Promulgated by Pope Paul VI, 1967)

It is a divinely revealed truth that sins bring punishments inflicted by God's sanctity and justice. These must be expiated either on this earth through the sorrows, miseries and calamities of this life and above all through death,[3] or else in the life beyond through fire and torments or "purifying" punishments (Papal Encyclical, "Indulgentiarum Doctrina", Chapter 1, Article 2, Promulgated by Pope Paul VI, 1967)

It has likewise defined, that, if those truly penitent have departed in the love of God, before they have made satisfaction by worthy fruits of penance for sins of commission and omission, the souls of these are cleansed after death by purgatorial punishments; and so that they may be released from punishments of this kind, the suffrages of the living faithful are of advantage to them, namely, the sacrifices of Masses, prayers, and almsgiving, and other works of piety, which are customarily performed by the faithful for other faithful according to the institutions of the Church (Council of Florence (1439), De novissimis)

That punishment or the vestiges of sin may remain to be expiated or cleansed and that they in fact frequently do even after the remission of guilt is clearly demonstrated by the doctrine on purgatory. In purgatory, in fact, the souls of those "who died in the charity of God and truly repentant, but before satisfying with worthy fruits of penance for sins committed and for omissions" are cleansed after death with purgatorial punishments. (Papal Encyclical, "Indulgentiarum Doctrina", Chapter 1, Article 3, Promulgated by Pope Paul VI, 1967)


So yes, the justified are still subject to the necessary wrath of God by which they make satisfactions which placate divine justice (unless they are a martyr, or somehow make enough satisfactions prior to death). This is because Roman Catholicism makes a distinction between the guilt of eternal death, which is remitted in baptism (or penance if one falls after baptism), but not the punishment for venial sins committed after baptism. They believe that one still needs to be punished even if the guilt of eternal death is taken away. They would, of course, agree there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus because they would claim condemnation pertains to eternal death (a death sentence).

(But then again, I am just sowing Protestant propaganda and don't understand Roman Catholicism, so you'll have to confirm with a Roman Catholic.) [Linked Image]


Regards,

Jason