Papua New Guinea's Catholic Bishops Conference has supported the views of the capital's Governor, Powes Parkop, that the Defence Force be called in to patrol the city for at least one year.
They made the call amid reports of a worsening law and order situation in Port Moresby.
In a statement, the church says the police are unable to curb the rising crime in the city while the public have become silent and passive observers of these crimes.
It says it supports Mr Parkop's view that the army be called in to patrol the city for at least one year.
