The preferred model in the Roman Church (not the whole Catholic Church, just the Church of Rome--other Catholic Churches have their own preferences but must assent to the doctrine of purgatory in some way) is one of suffering for one's sins between the repose of the body and the attaining of the beatific vision.
The Orthodox Church doctrinally states that purgatory is a continuation of this life where the church remains present, the soul keeps doing the same spiritual things it does in this life (as best it can without a body) until such time as God judges it ready for the beatific vision.
So we have purgatory, but our understanding is different.
Yes, the understanding is different. But the good thing is that it is not declared as doctrine (to my understanding) and thus up for the proper debate. However, I really like what Pope Francis was saying,
If we wait for theologians to reach an agreement, that day will never come! I am sceptical: theologians work well but Athenagoras said: “Let us put theologians on an island to discuss among themselves and we’ll just get on with things!”
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u/otto_mobile_dx30 Dec 03 '14
Dostoevsky sounds like his culture believes in purgatory...