I have little compassion for this man who laments his not being able to continue his deacon privileged ministry, which, for no reason, was kept from women for the entire length of his ministry.  

I have little compassion for men who leave priesthood or deaconate because they want to marry.  No one forced them to take a vow before God to remain celibate.  They chose to take this vow & they were not required to do differently than any other person seeking the same ministry.  So there is no discrimination & no injustice.

Any person who takes a vow before God should keep that vow.  If they can't, then don't complain if you lose the prestige, as well as the functions, keeping the vow would have allowed you. 

I have no issue with allowing optional celibacy once all discrimination against ordaining women priests has been destroyed.  I am against, and all of us should be, of creating complete gender segregation by allowing optional celibacy to priests or widowed deacons who are only male.