I remain a staunch catholic by birth and till death even though I contemplate sometimes about our doctrine, one of which is heavily centered on the existence of purgatory: a place of temporary punishment after death before making heaven. This has been a generational controversial argument between the catholics and the pentecostals. The latter believes firmly that there are only two eternal destinations: Heaven and Hell, while the former establishes the fact that there are 3: Heaven, Hell and Purgatory. As a born catholic, I never believed in purgatory because I needed strong biblical evidence to prove to whoever doubts its existence, just like the doubting Thomas. I have heard and read different biblical verses by catholics to prove it, but I wasn't satisfied until I stumbled on one very powerful verse that vividly and implicitly describes the existence of purgatory even though the name wasn't mentioned. The book of 1 Peter 3: 18-20 (Good News Bible) says: "For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death physically, but made alive spiritually, AND IN HIS SPIRITUAL EXISTENCE HE WENT AND PREACHED TO THE IMPRISONED SPIRITS. THESE WERE THE SPIRITS OF THOSE WHO HAD NOT OBEYED GOD WHEN HE AWAITED PATIENTLY DURING THE DAYS THAT NOAH WAS BUILDING HIS BOAT." Who and where were the imprisoned spirits Jesus went to preach to? Please note that I do not intend to raise dust, impose my belief or engage anyone regarding the truth-value of the scriptural words, but I desire to share it for you to ponder on what your faith dictates to you as a christian. Thank you.

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