HC Deb 08 August 1859 vol 155 c1120
CAPTAIN O'CONNELL

said, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is prepared to introduce a regulation to enable Roman Catholic soldiers to attend Mass on the holy-days of their Church when they can do so without interference with their Military duties?

MR. SIDNEY HERBERT

said, that there was a regulation at present in existence enjoining upon commanding officers of Regiments that they were to be particularly attentive that no soldier professing the Roman Catholic, or other religious persuasion differing from the Established Church, should be compelled to attend Divine service according to the Church of England; but that every soldier should be at liberty to attend a form of worship in accordance with his own religious belief, when not prevented by his Military duties. That regulation, he believed, entirely met the views of his hon. and gallant Friend.