At the end of the heated debate a vote to restore the permanent diaconate in principle, without
addressing the question of celibacy, was taken. Of the 2,120 votes cast, 1588 were in favor of the
text which would be included for consideration in the schema of the council that would become
known as Lumen Gentium. 57 The language presented would leave the restoration of a permanent
diaconate to regional authorities at the approval of the Holy See. The explosive issue of celibacy
would be taken up later. At the 90 th General Congregation, September 29, 1964, the council
fathers cast their votes concerning the permanent diaconate in four sections. The restoration of
the permanent diaconate in principle was approved, 1903 votes for, 242 votes against. That local
authorities would decide the actual restoration with Papal approval was approved, 1523 votes for
and 702 votes against. That the permanent diaconate would be granted to mature married men
was approved 1598 votes for and 629 votes against. Finally, the ordination of young married
men or single men without celibacy was defeated, 839 votes for and 1364 votes against. The
Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium, Light of the Nations) would include the
57
Cf. Ditewig. Emerging Diaconate, 111-116.
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