Q. Isn’t Purgatory an insult to Jesus who died on the cross for our sins? His suffering was all that was needed!
A. This is a common misconception among Protestants. Nathan told King David that his sins were forgiven (Bathsheba & Uriah) but that he would suffer many temporal consequences because of his sins and that his son would die. So despite the fact that Nathan announced to David that his sins were forgiven nevertheless, he was going to experience terrible temporal suffering as punishment for his sin. II Samuel 12:1-18.
Each sin has TWO consequences. Eternal and Temporal. Jesus’ suffering and death redeemed us from the ETERNAL consequences of sin–only an eternal God could do that. But we pay the temporal price for our sins. How else can we explain Paul’s statement in
Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.
If a Catholic were to quote that verse without citing it, the normal protestant would freak out and condemn us all.
While I wouldn’t recommend Dante Alighieri for doctrine, in this case it would help to look at his Purgatorio-it is a happy place! A friend once joked about my punishment in purgatory and I had to explain that purgatory is a good place. In Dante’s fictional account, people there are pleased as punch about making it (albeit by the skin of their teeth!) With every passing moment they are cleansed more and more and approach Heaven.
No punishments in purgatory, only cures.