
Catholics have vented their fury at last night's 'disrespectful' and 'blasphemous' Met Gala theme, which encouraged celebrities to wear outfits inspired by Christianity.

The annual fundraising fete in New York brings out Hollywood's elite to celebrate the spring exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, with this year's titled: 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.'

Pop star Rihanna created the biggest stir, attending in a short skirt, robe and mitre-like hat reminiscent of the Pope's headgear.

Katy Perry - who met Pope Francis on April 28 - also drew a lot of attention by coming dressed as an angel, complete with huge feathered wings.

Social media users were up in arms over some of the more outrageous outfits - with some saying they had been left 'upset and distraught' over the choice of theme.

Pop star Rihanna (left) created the biggest stir, attending in a short skirt, robe and mitre-like hat reminiscent of the Pope's headgear. Katy Perry (right) - who met Pope Francis on April 28 - also drew a lot of attention by coming dressed as an angel, complete with huge feathered wings

Inspiration: Rihanna's hat was a fashion take on a mitre, a hat known as the traditional head-dress of bishops and abbots in Christianity. Mitres are worn in the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches, Anglican Communion and other denominations

Katy Perry knelt as she posed for photographers while wearing her elaborate outfit, which came with feathered wings and golden boots

Katy Perry (and Orlando Bloom) met with Pope Francis at a Vatican conference in Rome on April 28 - just over a week before her appearance in angelic attire

David wrote: 'I mean, there is a level of blasphemy about this. A devout Christian/Catholic might not want any part of this'

Nathalie Joy Ulep appeared to agree, tweeting: 'Am I the only one who sees #MetGala 2018 as blasphemy to Christianity?'

Holy Spirit Gals was even more outraged, explaining: 'I am just so upset and distraught at the choice for this year's #MetGala theme. Why is it okay for celebrities to sexualize and disrespect the Catholic Church?'

EstherMay tweeted '#MyReligionIsNotYourCostume', adding: 'I think it is totally disgusting. Poor choice of theme, costumes, etc. Disrespect'

Though the majority of fans seemed to enjoy the colourful attire on display, a number took to Twitter to express their outrage at what they saw as the disrespectful attitude shown to Catholicism.

One, EstherMay, tweeted '#MyReligionIsNotYourCostume', adding: 'I think it is totally disgusting. Poor choice of theme, costumes, etc. Disrespect.'

Another, David, wrote: 'I mean, there is a level of blasphemy about this. A devout Christian/Catholic might not want any part of this.'

Others users said the event was a clear sign of cultural appropriation, with many comparing it to a controversy resulting from Utah teenager Keziah Daum's Chinese-inspired prom dress.

The headline performance featured a cameo from pop-legend Madonna who wore a brown Franciscan habit for her appearance

As the performance continued her disciples stripped her of the outer cloak to reveal a racy white dress hidden underneath

The singer performed her hit song 'Like a Virgin' for cheering crowds as she well and truly stuck to the theme of the evening

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, (third from left) was in attendance at the star studded event and advocated the use of the Catholic theme in a statement

As well as speaking to the press himself at the event - Cardinal Dolan posted the following tweet justifying the use of the Catholic theme

British model Cara Delevingne (left), meanwhile, came wearing an all black dress - much of it transparent - with a nun-like veil covering her face. Right: Solange Knowles with a halo

Kim Kardashian wowed in a Versace gown; her frock featured Christian crosses along the torso and hips

May Rene Joseph wondered if the gala was intended to mock Christianity, adding: 'These outfits are offensive and distasteful to say the least!'

Other users said the event was a clear sign of cultural appropriation, with one, Carol, saying she was 'confused' by the imagery

Another Twitter user, Bassa King Allen, wondered why the Catholic-themed event had not been highlighted for its supposed cultural appropriation

Brieann Waller asked if 'sexualizing saints and popes and cardinals is all ok?'. Many users on Twitter also dismissed the idea that the event could be cultural appropriation

Sezzle also expressed confusion about the gala's apparent cultural appropriation. She said said the theme was 'absolutely ludicrous'

Jordan Cooper, who describes himself as 'Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church', highlighted what he saw as a double standard in discussion of cultural appropriation

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, gave a statement at the press launch of the star studded show saying he was in attendance to 'thank God for beauty'.

Asked why the controversial theme was allowed to be used by the gala, Cardinal Dolan said: 'Because the Church and 'the Catholic imagination,' are all about truth, goodness, and beauty…'

'In the 'Catholic imagination,' the truth, goodness, and beauty of God is reflected all over… even in fashion. The world is shot through with His glory.'

But this didn't seem to satisfy many on Twitter - with several enraged Catholics blasting the collaboration between the Church and the Met Gala as 'blasphemy'.

Sarah Jessica Parker wowed in her gold and copper look, which included large sacred hearts all over; she is wearing a Dolce And Gabbana gown. Inside her headdress is what appears to be a nativity scene

Nathalie Joy Ulep appeared to agree, tweeting: 'Am I the only one who sees #MetGala 2018 as blasphemy to Christianity?'

Holy Spirit Gals was even more outraged, explaining: 'I am just so upset and distraught at the choice for this year's #MetGala theme. Why is it okay for celebrities to sexualize and disrespect the Catholic Church?

'These outfits are not glorifying the faith in any way. No other religion would be made fun of in this way.'

But @Ejanecole disagreed, writing: 'Jeez at least the blasphemy looks fabulous. #MetGala.'

In Australia, however, an opinion writer said the theme was insensitive because it was a 'celebration of the two things so many find repugnant about the Catholic Church: its ostentatious wealth and its weird relationship with sex and sexuality.'

Left: Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke chose a stunning black and gold dress featuring rococo-style religious imagery. Right: Off White's designer, Virgil Abloh, wearing all-white with a stained-glass window pattern as he stands next to Kendal Jenner

Victoria Secret model Stella Maxwell chose an elaborately designed strapless gown, which was adorned with a patchwork of images of the Virgin Mary

Lana Del Rey and Jared Leto both sported Gucci on the carpet Monday. Leto appeared to have blended an assortment of Christian attire for his outfit

Chadwick Boseman donned a custom Versace - complete with elaborate embroidery - with a full-length cape and Christian crosses

The News.com.au piece added: 'If you're a victim of clergy sexual assault who is fighting for compensation from a church that regularly cries poor — including the 16,000 Australians who made contact with the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse — seeing a bunch of celebrities prance around in the ostentatious and sexually confused fashions of the Church must feel like a slap in the face.'

A victim support lawyer in the country, Ingrid Irwin, said: 'Celebrities should be boycotting this ball and giving all the money it would have cost to survivors.'

Despite the controversy surrounding the ball, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England & Wales said in a statement: 'The exquisite care and attention to detail shown in the works produced for this exhibition reflect the love and desire to give glory to God shown in the beautiful original religious vestments from which they take their inspiration.'

The Catholic theme was arranged in coordination with the Vatican as several items from the Pope's historical clothing collection are currently on display in the Met Museum

The remarkable collection, on display in the Wintour wing of the museum - shows a variety of Catholic outfits which have been lent to the Met