FABRIZI 'CANDOR' MOVES CLERGY

BRIDGEPORT -- Mayor John M. Fabrizi won renewed confidence from the
city's religious leaders after meeting with them Thursday to discuss
his illegal drug use and assuring them the problem is in the past.

"We came away with exactly what we hoped for," said the Rev. Brian
Schofield-Bodt, executive director of the Council of Churches of
Greater Bridgeport, which arranged the session.

During the hour-long meeting, Schofield-Bodt said Fabrizi discussed
his plan to address concerns raised by his substance abuse and how
the episode might be turned to good uses.

The meeting came barely a week after the church council, which
represents dozens of Protestant churches in the city and surrounding
communities, sent Fabrizi a harshly worded letter saying it would
demand his resignation if he did not quickly spell out a "clear plan
to regain the public trust."

The meeting with the mayor was broadened to include clergy from
congregations other than the council's membership.

Rabbi James Prosnit of Congregation B'nai Israel said Fabrizi
approached the matter "with the concern and candor that this serious
issue requires."

Fabrizi admitted to the Connecticut Post editorial board June 19 that
he had used cocaine while in office and had sought help to stop that,
as well as abusing alcohol.

Like a similar meeting with the Bridgeport Regional Business Council,
Fabrizi said he told the religious leaders that he had made "a
terrible mistake in the past and that I faced that adversity head on"
by asking for professional help.

He added that he also told the clergy that he is "focused" on his
efforts to move the city forward and has a "passion" for his job.

Both sides said the discussions were easier because the religious
leaders are not strangers to the mayor.

"I've worked with the great majority over the years," the mayor said.

"I was heartened and humbled" by the discussion, he added.

Caryn Kaufman, the mayor's spokeswoman, said specifics of the mayor's
remedial plan are still under consideration, but would probably be
outlined later this month.

Besides Schofield-Bodt, the other representatives of the church
council present were the Rev. Hopeton Scott of the First Baptist
Church of Bridgeport; the Rev. Robert Knebel of Habitat for Humanity
of Coastal Fairfield County, and the Rev. William B. Sutton III of
the First Baptist Church of Stratford.

Other participants were: Imam Nasif Muhammad, Al-Aziz Islamic Center;
Monsignor Kevin W. Wallin, St. Augustine Cathedral; the Rev. David
Miller, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church; the Rev. Moses Mercedes,
Prince of Peace Assembly of God Church; and Rabbi Tziona Szajman,
Congregation Rodeph Sholom.