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?
Your comment: 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? Jesus said that the thief would be in paradise and that he would be there today with Jesus.
I assume that you believe that Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead.
Why do you presume that Jesus will judge everyone the same as the repentant thief that died next to Him?
Perhaps you have forgotten Jesus’s instructions to Peter And I tell thee this in my turn, that thou art Peter, and it is upon this rock that I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; 19 and I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (matthew 16:18)
Where is the conflict?
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.
It is good to cite scripture ... all of it, not just one extract. What happens before that statement? The good thief acknowledges (confesses) his sins Luke 23:41. As he hung there, he repented and asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom. His purgatory was right there on Calvary.