Returning Catholics FAQs: About Purgatory

On Mondays, I answer questions frequently asked by those considering a return to the Catholic Church. How do I know this stuff? I was away for more than 30 years myself, and am the co-author of When They Come Home: Ways to Welcome Returning Catholics , a book for pastors and parish leaders interested in this ministry.

What’s this business with purgatory?

Some people compare purgatory to a car wash—if your vehicle is basically in good shape but a little dirty or messy on the outside, you like to h...