Big mistake. “Until the last penny is paid.” for one. I’ll post some other shortly.
Referencing scripture is never a mistake.
Rather than trying to deflect the argument, try responding directly to the stated position. Jesus said that the thief would be in paradise and that he would be there today with Jesus.
Luke 23:43 KJV-
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
According to the Catholic teaching, this is not possible. Since these two teachings are mutually exclusive, one or the other must be true. That makes the other teaching false.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines purgatory as a “purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven,” which is experienced by those “who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified” (CCC 1030).
Now for the record, if there is a conflict between what Jesus SAID IN SCRIPTURE, and the Catholic church’s teaching, which are you going to follow?