Purgatory wasn't a matter of faith until the fifteenth century.  It certainly was not a teaching by the Twelve.  Origen first mentioned it---but it was not universally accepted until the Fifteenth Century.

Purgatory was and still is nothing but a money-getting ploy.  While St. Peter's was being built at the Vatican, people buying indulgences, paid so much money for them---workers used a rake to draw in the money.  Partial indulgence "king or queen for a day." Plenary indulgences "Get out of purgatory FREE CARD".  

Now, thanks to Luther and the Protestant Revolt, the Church no longer SELLS indulgences----
but in 'selling' masses for the deceased----money still comes in.