PRIESTS have been encouraged to develop mentoring schemes for young people at work. The Bishop of Rochester Michael Nazir-Ali told Kent Executive Club members at a dinner in The Shant Hotel, East Sutton, that the clergy had an important role in the workplace.

He said it was particularly important for clergy to develop mentoring schemes to provide young people with role models. By focusing on the needs and hopes of young people, they had an important opportunity to rebuild "civil society".

The bishop, tipped by some experts as the next Archbishop of Canterbury when the Rt Rev George Carey retires in October, said business faced many ethical questions, not least the Church of England itself as a landowner and investor. He spoke of the relationship of religious faith to work, especially in the areas of freedom, fellowship and service.

Although economic viability and prosperity were key factors, he cautioned against alienating people from the results of their own work. It was important to exercise "good stewardship" in, for example, the use of land or other assets.