ROME, MAY 30, 2002 (Zenit.org).- Celebrities have stumbled into a new fashion: wearing crosses decorated with diamonds and other precious stones.
Andrea Piersanti, director of the magazine Il Cinematografo, a Catholic film review, told the Vatican agency Fides, “Personalities of the world of entertainment are making it the mania of the moment. Crosses glitter around the necks of soubrettes, television-show women, leading models and actresses.”
Jennifer Aniston, star of the American TV series “Friends” and wife of Brad Pit, wears a cross of platinum and diamonds. Fashion model Naomi Campbell has a collection of enormous, jewel-studded crosses. Italian fashion stylist Giuliana Cella has more than 400 of them. Actress Catherina Zeta Jones exhibits a cross of gold and diamonds.
“This mania is incomprehensible,” Piersanti said. “It brings to mind a cross made of wood and electric wire worn by Cardinal François Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and fashioned with his own hands during long years in prison for the faith in his homeland Vietnam.”
“Is it consistent with the Gospel to spend millions on a copy of the sacred symbol of the Christian faith and perhaps forget that there are people all over the world who suffer and die of hunger?” the film critic asked.
