What type of afterlife do Christian Catholic believe in?

Answer 1

Heaven The Catholic Church believes that those baptised in the Church and whose sins have been forgiven, go to heaven. This was once thought to be a place above the earth, but because of scientific advances is now seen as being a non-physical place. Heaven places the souls of the deceased in the company of God, in someway a peaceful and joyous eternal existence.

Hell

The Catholic Church believes that those who have committed a serious, or 'mortal' sin and have not received absolution, go to hell. Hell places the souls of the deceased out of communion with God, and in eternal torment. Hell was once seen as a place of fire and brimstone, with demons tormenting the souls, but this aspect is now downplayed. Absolution for one's sins can be obtained by confession to a priest.

Purgatory

The Catholic Church believes that those who have committed a less serious, or 'venial' sin and have not received absolution, go to purgatory. Purgatory seems to be similar in essence to hell, but is not permanent. The period in purgatory depends on how many sins the person committed, for which he did not receive absolution, and perhaps how serious they were.

Limbo

It was once felt unfair that the souls of babies should go to hell, just because they had not yet been baptised and were therefore, in Catholic belief, unable to go to heaven. Limbo became a place of peace, without torment, but also out of communion with God, as a temporary refuge for those in the Catholic faith who died before they could be baptised. It was felt that they would go to heaven at the time of the Last Judgement.

Limbo is now not an official part Catholic doctrine.

Answer 2

Ironically most Christians do not believe in after life. But this does not mean it does not exist. The christian believe is that after death, the person will remain in the grave till the second coming. But from experience we understand this is not true.