Streetwise priests (; ; ; ) are Roman Catholic priests 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. 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. Through 2008, debates and conflicts with ecclesiastical hierarchy existed regarding Catholic social teaching and implementing the Second Vatican Council's doctrine.
Notable streetwise priests
Below is a list of priests who have been described as streetwise.
Africa
Father Jean-Baptiste Malenge Kalunzu,
Central America
Oscar Romero, El Salvador
Padre Gadalupe, James Carney, American missionary murdered in Honduras 1983
Juan José Gerardi Conedera, Guatemala
South America
Padre Cacho, Uruguay
Don Gonzalo Aemilius, Uruguay
Monsignor Hélder Câmara, Bishop
Don Júlio Lancellotti, Brazil
Father Alfredo Souza Dorea, Brazil
North America
Larry Rosebaugh, O.M.I. Greg Boyle Michael Pfleger
France
Abbé Pierre (1912–2007) Father Guy Gilbert (b. 1935) Fr. Pedro Meca Father Axel Father Jean Tessier Father Jean-Philippe Chauveau Abbé Fabrice Loiseau
Germany
Franz Meurer
India
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.