Rosary Bead Fashion Trend - Australian Catholics Outraged - StyleList

Teens are making a style statement with rosary beads. Photo: Jason Horowitz, CorbisWhen it comes to fashion, Australian teens are livin' on a prayer... and angering Catholics in the process. The church is said to be disgusted at the current trend of wearing rosary beads as fashion accessories, the Sydney Sunday Telegraph reports.(Wait 'til they see Lady Gaga's "Alejandro" video!)One Sydney chinese remi boutique, Diva, offers the cross-adorned prayer beads in three styles, according to the paper, and they're more likely to wind up at the mall than at mass."It is totally disrespectful to the religious beliefs of Catholics," Catholic Women's League Australia president Madge Fahy told the paper."They don't have the right to abuse our religious objects. Rosary beads are used solely for prayer."Don't wear them unless you're prepared to use them for what they're made for. They're not a fashion item."How about the kids say 50 Hail Marys and we call it even?Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for the Catholic archdiocese of Sydney told the paper that the trend "trivialized" the faith but could actually spur a "spiritual awakening" in the wearer. Fingers crossed?Sydney hair bulk resident Jennifer Holmes, however, told the Telegraph that she bought her rosary "because I liked the color and the length of the necklace, and crosses are such a beautiful and peaceful symbol."I don't wear them as a religious symbol, even though I'm a Catholic."Yikes. What would Jesus do?And what's your bulk hair take? Do you find wearing rosaries and crosses as fashion offensive? Or is the church being too harsh? Leave a comment!Meanwhile, read about Iran's new hair ban for men.