<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><mads xmlns="http://www.loc.gov/mads/" xmlns:mods="http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.loc.gov/mads/
mads.xsd"><authority><topic authority="http://AATesaurus.cultura.gencat.cat/aat/getty_en">purgatory</topic></authority><related type="broader"><topic>doctrinal concepts</topic></related> <note xml:lang="en"><![CDATA[ State or place of spiritual cleansing and purification, allowing a purging of sins. A notable example is in the doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, where it is defined as  a state where the souls of those who die in grace undergo such punishment as necessary to expiate their unforgiven venial sins before entering heaven. ]]></note></mads>