Christians: does purgatory exist?

Catholics have never been encouraged to read the bible on their own. Thus, the "Fathers" and other "holy" people, for hundreds of years, did them the favor of interpreting it for them. Purgatory, fasting,meatless Fridays, confessing sins to another sinner, praying to Mary and other dead people, and scores of other "traditions" are not biblical. Some of the early popes "sold" certificates to heaven because the Roman Church was going broke.This certificate was good for one trip to heaven via prayers. One of the first big cons of the day. Just promoted by the church elders for centuries. To the best of my knowledge, no other christian churches preach this to their members.