"Blessed are those who cry." Journey into the lives of LGBTI+ Chinese Catholics

By the volunteers of La Tenda di Gionata

"BLESSED Are Those Who Mourn: Chinese Tongzhi Catholics' Tales"(Blessed Are those who cry: tales of chinese Tongzi catholics) edited by Eros Shaw, Mark Larrimore and Michael Clifton, published in Malaysia in 2022, is a book that offers an unprecedented look at the experiences of LGBTQI+ chinese Catholics. his beating heart is precisely the section that collects the testimonies of over 40 catholics tongzhi, Chinese term that stands for LGBTQI+people, who live in continental China, in Taiwan, Hong Kong and around the world.

This imposing 400 pages Volume is not limited to testimonies only: it also includes eight introductions, ten reflections and much more. A text designed for different types of readers, including chinese catholic priests who may not have any knowledge of the chinese LGBTQI+ realities.

This text is the English translation of a book originally published in Chinese in 2016, after a long editorial path that lasted seven years before being edited in China.

The authors who have edited the volume bring with them different experiences and skills: Eros Shaw he is an LGBTQI+ activist in China and has achieved a master's degree in theology; Mark Larrimore he is associate professor of religious studies at the New School, Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts in New York; Michael Clifton he is a gay catholic researcher who lives In France. the book was published by Strategic Information and Development Center (SRID) in ​​Malaysia.

A book that challenges, moves and opens new perspectives

Several theologians, priests and scholars have underlined the importance of this book, which offers not only intimate and touching testimonies, but also deep ideas of reflection on the faith, love and courage to be themselves of the Chinese Catholic LGBTQI+.

James Alison, theologian, priest and author, writes: "Eros Shaw he shows us how the good news of Jesus Christ contains, among his many implications, also the possibility of living openly and truthful love between people of the same sex. These testimonies are part of the same communication of grace and mercy that God pours on us. The people that Eros brought together in this book show us what it means to be forced, by love, to remain firm in their truth and how the wolf deflates in front of such an unwavering faith. "

Ruby Almeida, co-president of Global Network of Rainbow Catholics, he underlines that "this is a fundamental book that gives voice to the Chinese LGBTQI+ Catholics, who live both inside and outside China. Their testimonies offer an extraordinary portrait of their desires, hopes and their deeper suffering. The path of 'coming out to get out of hiding" - to live openly and authentically as LGBTQI+ people - is a continuous battle. Their stories, in which everyone can find themselves at least in part, are engaging and impossible to ignore. I can only warmly recommend this work by Eros. "

The stories contained in this book can question the way we see ourselves and our faith. And precisely precisely through the sharing of experiences that the Catholic Church and our faith grow. That these testimonies can bring their light to the Church and in our world!

"BLESSED Are Those Who Mourn: Chinese Tongzhi Catholics' Tales"(Blessed Are those who cry: tales of chinese Tongzi catholics) curated by Eros Shaw, Mark Larrimore and Michael Clifton, published by Sird - Strategic Information and Research Development Center (Malaysia), 2022, 369 pages

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Content)

Preface (Preface): May your lips pelvis my lips (May Your Lips Kiss Mine) Eros Shaw

Presentations (Forewords) by: Dom Laurence Freeman, Ruby Almeida, Michael Brinkschröder, Ngeo Boon Lin, Chan Moon Hung, James Alison, Francis Debernardo, Keith Barltrop

I. Stories (Stories)

Continental China (Mainland China)

• Grow from confusion to clarity (Growing Through Confusion to Clarity) - Joseph, Beijing
• A little desire (A Small Wish) - Wen Tao, Fuzhou
• Praise the grace of the Lord (Praise the Grace of the Lord) - John, Shenzhen
• How can a perfect solution exist, which does not betray Jesus or you? (How can there be a perfect solution in this world, one that fails in the Jesus nor you?) - Hu Shang Xue, Shanghai
• A gay Catholic activist fighting for LGBTQI+ rights (A Gay Catholic Activist Fighting for Lgbtqi+ Rights) - Ling Xuan, Fuzhou
• Loss on the Via Crucis (Perplexity on the Way of the Cross) - Anqing, Chengdu
• Let me go, I string me strong (Let Me Go, Hold Me Tight) - Lao Yao, Fujian
• Lost, and found in true light (Lost, and Found the True Light) - Ai Tai, Henan
• Follow the light (Follow the Light) - Shi Ge, Shanghai
• My homosexual love (My Homosexual Love) - Qian Ai, Shangxi
• Such a glorious grace (Such Glorious Grace) - Freeman, Henan
• Get up, good to nothing! (Stand Up, You Good-for-whating!) - Yu Han, Beijing
• My answer: a journey of faith and homosexuality (My Answer: A Gay and Religious Path) - Br. Ting Ming, Shaanxi
• Reason illuminates the path of faith (Reason Lights the Path of Faith) - Thomas, Heilongjiang
• Wherever differences (Differences Everywhere)-An-an, Zhejiang
• Love people like you (Loving People Like You) - Pablo, Hebei
• Lord, it's nice for us to be here (Lord, It Is Wonderful for Us to Be Here) - Xiao Lu, Hangzhou
• Left and right: a straight man who was once 'gay' (Left and Right: A Straight Man Who Was Once a 'Gay') - Jiang Nan, Nanchino
• They are the ex-wife of a gay man and defending the rights of homosexual people (I Am the Ex-wife of a Gay Man, and I Defence Gay Rights) - Little Teresa, Wuhan

Hong Kong

The 'commandment' of love (The 'Commandment' of Love) - Paul
An adventure in love, happy to love: reflections on the liturgy of Holy Week (An Adventure to Love, Happy to Love: Reflection on the Holy Week Liturgies) - Joan of Arc
A celestial girl who spreads flowers makes butterflies frantic (In Heavenly Maiden Sagersing Flowers Makes Butterflies Busy)-yes mei-lik
Why do we have to divide male and female? (Why Must We Divide Bad and Female?) - Yi On
Confession of a double identity: christian and gay (Confession of Double-Entestity: Christian and Gay) - Giovanni Battista

Taiwan

• The seed fallen in the thorns (The Seed That Fell Among the Thorns) - Oprah
• You are my father, and i am your loved son (You Are My Father, and I Am Your Beloved Son) - Anthony Cheng
• A lone pilgrimage (A Lone Pilgrolimage) - André
• Take your cross and follow me (Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me)-Frank Tsen-Yung Wang
• My son is a tongzhi (homosexual) (My Child Is a Tongzhi) - Mrs Kwok
• Unconditional love: words of a father (Unconditional Love: HeartFelt Words from Father) - Mr Kwok

Macaw

Walking in pain with the Lord (Walking in Sorrow With the Lord) - Serrafina

From abroad (Overseas)

Desire for love (Yearning for Love) - Francisco, South Korea
My dream of evangelization and equality (My Dream of Evangelization and Equality) - Hu Jiahao, Thailand
Youth (Youth) - Yong Hao, Malaysia
Things really improve (It Does Get Better) - Jo, Malaysia
Love in pain (Love in Pain) - J, Malaysia
Cross the world as a LGBTQI+ person (Walking This World as a Lgbtqi+ Person) - GM TAN, Malaysia
From judge to soul mate: a story of acceptance (From judge to soulmate - a story of acceptance) - Sarah, Australia
Small secret (Little Secret) - Francis, Australia
Tea for the Union (Tea for Togetherness) - Benjamin Oh, Australia
The word was the real light that illuminates every man; And he was coming into the world (The Word Was the True Light That Enlightens All Men; And He Was Coming Into the World) - Félix Chen, Canada

II. Reflections (Reflections)

• Gay Catholics in continental China: the experience of Eros Shaw and others (Gay Catholics in Mainland China: The Experience of Eros Shaw and Others) - Eros Shaw
• Catholics LGBTQI+ A Hong Kong: If we talk, will anyone listen to us? (LGBTQI+ Catholics in Hong Kong—IF We Speak Out, Will We Be Listened To?) - Yip Lai Shan
• Reflections on the love between the disputes on homosexual marriage (A Reflection on Love Amid Controversies Over Same-Sex Marriage) - Compassion Hong Kong
• The attitude of the Taiwanese Catholic Church towards homosexuality (The Taiwanese Catholic Church's Attitude Towards Homosexuality) - Philip
• On consecrated life (On Consecrated Life) - Brother Xiao Bei
• The God of difference: towards a Catholic theology of homosexuality (The God of Different: Towards in Catholic Theology of Homosexuality) - Cai Qi
• Like Catholic LGBTQI+ Catholic groups contribute to the Church (How LGBTQI+ Catholic Groups Contribute to the Church) - Eros Shaw
• Eros Shaw interview with Gionata Project (Eros Shaw's Interview with Gionata Project)
• Interview by Father Joseph with a catholic media (FR Joseph's Interview with a Catholic Media Outlet)

III. Different paths towards faith: stories of believers LGBTQI+ Chinese (Different Paths Togayther: Calling for Chinese Tongzhi (LGBTQI+) Believers' Tales)

IV. Short guide to the LGBTQI+ Catholic Fellowships (Brief Guide to LGBTQI+ Catholic Fellowships)