What happened to 'turning the other cheek'?

I'm highly amused to see the reaction of some Franciscan friars in Italy to being repeatedly robbed. The Guardian reports:

Friars at the 15th century church of San Salvatore al Monte, which was a favourite of Michelangelo, were irritated when a rare and expensive bible disappeared from the lectern, and they flew off the handle when a replacement bible donated by a worshipper also went missing and within a few hours.

In a note, pinned up in full view of worshippers, the friars say they hope the thief sees the error of his ways. But in case he does not, they add: "We pray to God that the thief is struck by a strong bout of the shits."

This turn of events will, they hope, "encourage him to carry out no further thefts".

Described by La Stampa newspaper as "the product of the Tuscan ability to be ironic about anything", the note and its unorthodox request will be forgiven, claim one of the friars. "It is not exactly clean language," the friar said, "but we couldn't put up with it any longer. The Lord and the faithful will understand."

There's more at the link.

Jesus commanded his followers to 'turn the other cheek'. I daresay that being struck with 'a strong bout of the shits' would, indeed, involve cheeks (although not of the facial variety). However, whether or not they'd be 'turned' by the experience is doubtful - as is whether or not that would fit the Lord's expectations of the good (?) friars!



Peter