The Congregations were occupied with daily lengthy speeches for and against the doctrine of Infallibility from 13th May to 3rd June. On 3rd June the Presidents produced a petition signed by many Bishops, requesting that the debate might be closed. The Council was accordingly invited to express its opinion, and the large majority decided that the time for closure was come. Thus again the minority were defeated.
Little more remained to be done. The special discussion followed. But the matter was approaching its close. The minority grew more spiritless and anxious for self-protection. The intense heat of the Roman summer told fearfully on the health of Bishops accustomed to northern climes. Appeals to the Pope for adjournment until autumn were rejected. The futility of protracted discussion became convincingly clear to the minority no less than to the majority.[1] desperate attempt was made by some French Bishops (Dupanloup and the Archbishop of Paris) to induce the Emperor Napoleon to request the Pope, in the name of humanity and reason, to prorogue the Council until October. But before the reply could arrive the minority abandoned the struggle.[2]
Many Bishops resigned their turn to speak. A movement for closure arose, instigated chiefly by Manning: at first resisted, the minority gradually acquiesced.
Ultimately, amid general approval, the presiding Cardinal declared the discussion closed. On the 13th of July the proposition of Papal Infallibility was put to the vote.[3] The President announced that 601 Fathers had voted. Of these 451 were in favour, 88 against, and 62 favourable conditionally.[4]
