As debuts go, it was hardly rock 'n' roll. “We've been hanging out in the sacristy and we've said a little prayer,” said Father Eugene O'Hagan.

Thunderous applause erupted as the lights went up and The Priests broke into their opening song, Panis angelicus fit panis hominum (The angelic bread becomes the bread of men).

It's probably a little early to place bets for this year's Christmas No 1, but the odds must be shortening on three Irish priests who this week took their first steps towards global stardom.

Before an invited audience and the television cameras, Fathers Eugene and Martin O'Hagan, both brothers, and Father David Delargy performed in St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh, seat of the Roman Catholic Primate of All Ireland. The blessing of the Catholic hierarchy suggests that the Church has pinned its hopes on the band bringing about a spiritual renaissance.

For two hours, The Priests, a clever indie-style name for three middle-aged men in dog collars, gave their all with a set that included Abide With Me, Pie Jesu and Ave Maria. Before singing Vivaldi's Gloria, Father Eugene explained: “He was a priest who put his talents to the service of God. We hope to do the same.”

Sony BMG has signed The Priests for £1.42million and is releasing their debut album simultaneously in 32 countries in November.

The Priests are staying true to their name, however, by promising to give away most of their money to charity and their Northern Ireland parishes. They also plan to keep up their parish duties while embarking on a gruelling schedule of concerts and promotional work. “Weddings, funerals, baptisms, all these things will go on,” said Father David, sipping a bottle of Budweiser after the concert. Father Martin added: “Music is very much part of our lives, but our priority, of course, is the priesthood. The contract reflects that.”

The three men - dubbed by some “Father Ted, The Musical” - have been singing together for more than 30 years, at boarding school, Queen's University, Belfast and the Irish College in Rome, where they performed frequently for the Pope.

Naturally, they would argue that it was God who brought them together with Epic Records, part of Sony BMG. But the truth could be more prosaic: Sony was already on the lookout for a Latin Mass act. When Nick Raphael, managing director of Epic Records, heard them singing he knew he had struck gold. “I thought they were amazing. They have the X-factor.”

The Priests are determined to let their music carry the Church's message. “It's an extension of our ministry - it will speak to hearts well beyond the realm of the Church,” said Father Eugene. Asked how they would cope with issues such as celibacy, abortion and sexual abuse, the band said: “We are not mandated to talk on such issues. They are for others.”

Ireland has had media-friendly singing priests before, most famously Father Michael Cleary, who did the warm-up act for the Pope during his 1979 visit to Ireland. After his death, it was revealed that he had fathered children with his housekeeper. In these less innocent times, it's a dead cert that Sony BMG has made sure their new signings are scandal-proof.

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