AUCKLAND Music companies Universal and Sony will vie for Kiwi Catholic listeners with the companies releasing albums with solid Church links for Christmas. Last year Sony released The Priests, an album featuring three Irish priests two of whom are brothers. The album went to number two on the New Zealand music charts, selling enough copies to be designated double-platinum.

Sony released The Priests second album, Harmony, on November 23. Tracks include The Lords Prayer, How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace.

Geffen/Universal released Alma Mater, featuring the voice spoken and singing of Pope Benedict XVI, on November 30. The album features Lauretan litanies and popular Marian chants with eight original pieces of modern classical music. Vatican Radio recorded the Pope’s voice in Latin, Italian, Portuguese, French and German.

Proceeds from album sales will be used to provide music education for underprivileged children around the world.

Geffen UK president Colin Barlow, said: We are honoured to be partners on this historic production which will, for the first time, bring the voice of Pope Benedict XVI to a worldwide audience through these stunning musical compositions.