CATHOLICS are outraged after discovering rosary beads - sacred objects used in prayer - are being flaunted as a new fashion statement.

The string of beads with a crucifix are now as likely to be found in some jewellery stores as they are in a church, with fashion franchise Diva selling three styles of a rosary necklace with a silver cross pendant for $14.99 each.

Catholic Women's League Australia national president Madge Fahy said it was inappropriate for teenagers to wear the rosary as jewellery.

"It is totally disrespectful to the religious beliefs of Catholics," she said.

"I believe it's an abuse of our religious object.

"Rosary beads are solely used for prayer. They are not a fashion item."

A spokesman for the Adelaide Archdiocese said wearing rosary beads and crucifixes purely as fashion accessories could trivialise their religious significance.

"It might be too much to expect that those wearing these items as fashion statements might consider their deeper meaning, but one could be outrageously optimistic," he said.

However, he said the church hoped fashion wearers might have a spiritual awakening as a result of wearing the beads.

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Here are some examples of fashion news that you can find at the Fashion Newspaper.  This example is from June 2010.  Obviously the news will change each month, but this will give an example of the sort of news you can expect to find at the Fashion Newspaper.

Moving Its Leather Products and Accessories Business In-House : Perry Ellis
June 23, 2010 : Fashion News
Perry Ellis International (NASDAQ:PERY) and Westport Corporation announced today that they have agreed to not renew their license agreement for men’s accessories including wallets, bags, and gift sets under the Perry Ellis family of brands. The license agreement expires December 31, 2010. Westport will continue to manufacture and distribute accessories for Perry Ellis International until then. Effective January 1, 2011, Perry Ellis International will take over all aspects of its accessories business.

Men's Wearhouse Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend : Fashion Retail News
June 18th, 2010 : Fashion News
Men's Wearhouse recently announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per share on the Company's common stock, payable on September 24, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 14, 2010.