[pjr12345]

You've lumped me into the wrong bunch of non-Catholics. I am not of the "believe only" camp. I believe that Christians are required to be faithful and obedient, as illustrated in Scripture. One way to put it is that true faith consists of belief followed by obedience. Obedience implies action. Failing in the obedience part... well, let's let James say it properly:

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

As far as Gehenna goes, I've got no qualms with you calling it Hell and Purgatory. The problem comes in when you postulate that a soul that enters the place can be earned out of it. THAT is the problem! This doctrine is a fabrication of the RCC for its own ulterior motives and has no basis in Scripture. Far from it, if Purgatory, as the RCC teaches it, is true then the atonement of Christ is a mockery, an unnecessary humiliation suffered by the God of the Universe. Purgatory, as postulated by the RCC, makes God both a masochist and a sadist. Purgatory, as postulated by the RCC, means that God is not just or righteous.

Purgatory is a false doctrine, giving false hope to deceived people whose ears have been tickled.

[Vicomte13]

"The problem comes in when you postulate that a soul that enters the place can be earned out of it. THAT is the problem!"

Did I say that?
If I did, I don't believe it.
Hell and Purgatory are the same place: Gehenna.
God judges, the purgation happens. When God is satisfied, the soul goes to heaven.
Can the prayers of the living affect the soul in Gehenna?
To the extent that the prayers of the living can affect the souls of those still on Earth.
Which is to say: it is in God's hands.
I hope so. But I do not know.