FOREIGN priests stepping in for a few weeks while parish priests are on holiday are encouraging vocations among ethnic groups, it has been claimed.
Mgr Richard Moth, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Southwark, said there was an unexpected spin-off in the temporary supply of priests from developing countries.
He said that young Catholic men from ethnic minorities were being inspired to put themselves forward as possible candidates for the priesthood.
Many of the priests come to Britain in the summer months on a working break from their studies in Rome. Southwark alone has benefited from 60 visiting priests, mainly from Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda.