Could the latest music sensation in Europe be…three singing priests? CNN has a fascinating report about this trio at this link.

The story:

You could call them New Clergymen on the Block: three Roman Catholic priests from Northern Ireland who on occasion swap their rosary beads for microphones and their parishes for studio time.

The Priests’ debut CD — part of a major record deal — includes versions of spiritual songs and Irish tunes.

Fathers Eugene O’Hagan and Martin O’Hagan, who are brothers, and David Delargy have been in the priesthood for some 20 years. But they’ve been singing together since their early teens.

In February they recorded a demo in Belfast which they sent off — as Eugene O’Hagan puts it — to “the powers that be.” Sony BMG responded almost instantly with a very nice offering indeed, a record deal reportedly to the tune of somewhere north of $2 million.

The Priests’ debut album will be released on November 18 and was produced by Mike Hedges, known for his work with U2 and — ironically — Manic Street Preachers (who, of course, are not clergy but punky Welshmen). Some recording took place in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, and the priests maintain they’d like some of the profits from their music endeavors donated to a charity of their choice.

These priests aren’t metalheads; you won’t find “Stairway to Heaven” or “Highway to Hell” in the Priests’ repertoire. Rather, you’ll hear their spine-tingling harmonies applied to spiritual songs like “Panis Angelicus” and “Ave Maria,” as well as some traditional Irish tunes. Video Watch the Priests in perfect harmony »

If that doesn’t sound hip enough, know that all three clergymen own iPods (two admit to using BlackBerries). And Delargy claims that the first album he ever bought was Blondie’s “Parallel Lines.”

Check out more of the interview at the link.