Crucifix jewelry makes Vatican cross - 1Earth Antiques and Appraisals Magazine

Crucifix fashion jewelry makes Vatican cross

The Vatican news agency FIDES has criticised celebrities Jennifer Aniston, Naomi Campbell and Catherine Zeta-Jones for sporting crucifixes as fashion accessories because they contradict "the spirit of the Gospel".

Clicking the picture left will take you to the Italian jewelry house of Gioie which makes the fine pieces shown.

VATICAN CITY (FIDES) -- A crucifix is not simply a piece of jewelry, so wearing one should be accompanied by acts of Christian charity, said the Vatican's Fides news agency on 21 May 2002.

"Wearing crucifixes made of diamonds and precious metals is a spreading fashion. Stars of the world of entertainment and fashion have made it the mania of the moment," said the guest commentary by Andrea Piersanti, president of an Italian Catholic cinema organization.

"It's an incomprehensible mania," he said.

"Crosses glitter around the necks of TV personalities, leading models and actresses. Jennifer Aniston wears a cross of precious stones. Model Naomi Campbell has an enormous collection of jewel-studded crosses, while actress Catherine Zeta-Jones wears a gold and diamond one."

"Is it right to spend thousands on a sacred symbol of Christianity and then in a non-Christian manner forget those who suffer and die from hunger in the world?"