Berger said the congregation has put up with the outbursts by trying to move disruptive people outside, but he is worried that someone is going to get hurt.

Two years ago an elderly volunteer was handing out church bulletins to parishioners during the 5 p.m. Saturday Mass when he was shoved by an angry homeless woman, fell backwards and cracked his skull on the floor. He died six months later.

"There was blood everywhere," Berger said. "He had been healthy before that and never really recovered."

Two weeks ago the church filed a restraining order against one man who was causing problems, and he has since returned to the property anyway, Berger said.

Berger said he has been threatened while standing at the altar in front of hundreds of church members. If some in the congregation try to intervene with a mentally ill person who is out of control, they could be hurt.

Patrick Downes, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Ho-nolulu, acknowledged that there were problems at the church.

"How do we protect ourselves and the people here?" Berger said. "We have ushers, but many of them are retirees and elderly women. They are not trained for that. They are trained for hospitality and to be welcoming."

Our Lady of Peace is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States. Father Damien de Veuster was ordained there in 1864. Several treatment and outreach facilities for homeless people, drug users and the mentally ill are located in the immediate area.

Berger said people have done everything from urinating in the corner to grabbing money from the collection baskets and running out the door. He said he noticed more homeless people coming into the church after the city removed public benches from the mall.

"People who are homeless are welcome here," he said. "We help lots of people and our outreach is very active. This is not homelessness. ..."

Berger said he looked into hiring a private security company but at about $40,000 a year it was too expensive for the church. During the more serious incidents he calls 911 but that has not always been helpful, he said.

"I tried to call police and I didn't get anybody," Berger said. "I called 911 and got an answering machine. I didn't want to stand here on the phone while other people were being possibly threatened."

The Fort Street Mall Business Improvement District has security officers that patrol the mall but not the church itself.

When church volunteer Marie Winner, formerly of New York, heard the Guardian Angels chapter had been established in Hawai'i recently, she wrote them a note asking for help.

Guardian Angels is an organization of volunteers who help with community safety through neighborhood patrols, programs and self-defense classes.

The Angels are known for their red berets and heavy presence on the subways and streets of New York City since 1979. The group's purpose is to create crime-free communities through safety patrols and develop positive role models for young people. They have been working in Waikiki, 'Ewa Beach, Wahiawa and Waipahu.

Berger said he met with the group's representatives this week and they have agreed to help by being present at some services.

"The red berets and a little visibility will help," he said. "Frankly, for most things, just the visibility is sufficient. I don't want people tackled, but I don't want people coming to Mass and feeling threatened, either."

Ricardo "Chico" Garcia, leader of Guardian Angels Hawai'i Chapter, said it is unusual for a church to request their presence. Members will be there this weekend, and Garcia said if someone is disruptive, he or she will be asked to leave.

"If he decides not to leave, we will contact police," Garcia said. "We will try to keep him outside. If he gets violent, different measures will be taken."

Police Maj. Kevin Lima, who is newly assigned to the area, said officers will respond to 911 calls. Lima said if the Guardian Angels can help he supports the effort.

"The police department has talked to them about their role," Lima said. "They've told us they are nonviolent and trying to serve as deterrent to crime. They are prepared to get involved if they have to, but that is a last resort. We don't encourage anyone to physically get involved with anyone. That is what police are for."