Polling day — to elect a priest

From Our Special Correspondent ROME
THIS week the inhabitants of Meta, a town near Sorrento, went to the polls— to elect a new parish priest.
The townspeople have the rare privilege of choosing their own pastor from a list of three presented by the Bishop. The privilege dates back to 1543 when local landowners gave land for a new church on condition that the people could elect their pastor.
Only 77/ of the 1,300 voters went to the polls, though the pre-election campaign was lively. The winner, Dom Giuseppe Russo, got 437 votes against 181 and 153 for ihe two other candidates.
Another Italian town — Spittetta, near Cuneo. has a similar privilege. given it in return for undertaking in 1577 to pay a special tithe to the church. Though the tithe has been abolished, the right to elect a pastor remains.