Roman Catholic priest operating in contact with the "street" From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Streetwise priests (Italian: preti di strada; Spanish: curas de la calle; French: prêtres de rue; German: Priester der Straße) are Roman Catholicpriests who exercise their spiritual mandate by living in structures in direct contact with the "street", which is their mission land. Historical streetwise priests include Philip Neri (1515–1595) and John Bosco (1815–1888).
Recently, the expression came to denote priests with reformist ideas, especially those involved in reform movements for social justice in a Christian context through service to the poor and marginalized.[1] Their work covers various areas, such as education, marginalization, imprisonment, development cooperation, drug addictions, disabilities, orphans and abandoned children, prostitution, and homelessness.
In many cases, streetwise priests form groups, associations, or communities, especially inclusive of laity.[2]
Through 2008, debates and conflicts with ecclesiastical hierarchy existed regarding Catholic social teaching and implementing the Second Vatican Council's doctrine.[3]
Barnabe D'Souza, Salesian of Don Bosco, Mumbai Province.
Bosco Pereira, Salesian of Don Bosco, Mumbai Province (1950-2013) founder of Shelter Don Bosco
George Kollashany, Salesian of Don Bosco, Bangalore Province, Founder of BOSCO a Non Governmental Organisation working with the Young At Risk in the city of Bangalore since 1980.
George Miranda, Salesian of Don Bosco, Mumbai Province.
Gregory Almeida, Salesian of Don Bosco, Mumbai Province, currently directory of Don Bosco Bal Prafulta
Lester Fernandes, Salesian of Don Bosco, Mumbai Province.
Monty Rodrigues, Salesian of Don Bosco, Mumbai Province.
Thomas Koshy, Salesian of Don Bosco, Hyderabad Province, director of the Navajeevan Bala Bhaven.
Xavier Devdas, Salesian of Don Bosco, Mumbai Province.
(in Italian) Silvio Valota, Prete da galera. Don Luigi Melesi racconta storie di chi sta in carcere e di chi mai ha pensato di entrarsi, San Paolo Edizioni, 2010
Roberto Beretta e Giovanni Gazzaneo, Preti di strada: le frontiere dell'emarginazione e della speranza raccontate dai più noti sacerdoti anti-droga, con prefazione di Furio Colombo, SEI, Torino, 1995
Candido Cannavò, Pretacci: storie di uomini che portano il Vangelo sul marciapiede, Rizzoli, Milano, 2008
Mimmo Battaglia e Virginio Colmegna, I poveri hanno sempre ragione: storie di preti di strada, Cittadella editrice, Assisi, 2010
Pierfilippo Pozzi (cur.), Dov'è Dio: il Vangelo quotidiano secondo quattro preti di strada, Einaudi, Torino, 2011