Catholics, the Declaration is in accordance with our beliefs?
Catholics do not believe "good works" to make the sky? The sacrifice of Christ is always enough to accommodate those who accept it. Catholics believe Christ's death shows us the path to salvation. As Augustine said, "He who believes that without their help, not exchanged without your help." Our cooperation is a secondary cause of salvation. Catholics that our response to grace through good works, indulgences, and a sacramental life merit less time in purgatory, and a life closer to God on earth. I think this is confused with Catholics believe that "good works" in some way can save a person and deserve the reward of heaven (which is not true).
Catholics believe that good works have merit, but not themselves. Only united to Christ when they have any merit. We do this at the offertory of the Mass. Even the shares of Mother Teresa did not have merit in themselves. But always united to Jesus, see Jesus in every face you found. This is also why the Mass is the most important and perfect prayer we unite our actions and freedom with Jesus, which in turn, offers to God that they can not refuse such an offer. We become one with Jesus at the Mass of Our good works now assume real merit.
That sounds right to me. You mentioned some excellent sources and put it in sophisticated language. The way I think about it is, we are saved by grace, but a role that we must try to be better people. In this way, we are trying to follow Christ and showing that he is sincere. It just means trying to be better than what we are and try to be closer to him. This does not mean working your way to heaven or something. We do not even have to succeed in our efforts or to achieve "good works" on all of their effort behind devotion.
I agree with the poster who mentioned Protestants that Catholics and Protestants agree on this issue. Some people do not believe we do.
I am not Catholic, but I have spoken to many on this subject with an open mind. My conclusion is that Protestants and Catholics agree on the role of the works of salvation. Unfortunately most people on both sides, is too hard headed as a whole and how to listen.
If we do not work, then it likely will not be saved.
What confuses me is that Catholics believe that Christ's sacrifice is sufficient for salvation … so why do you need to Purgatory?
Not really "get" the idea of purgatory … a place to work out of sin?
I personally believe that the sacrifice of Christ was sufficient … period. Jesus refers to our sins, why do we have to work out of them? Or spend any time in Purgatory?
I may be Catholic, but I do not believe in everything the priest says of her little book.