From the Council of Carthage, under Aurelius, A.D. 401

This synod was held under Anastasius, Roman Pontiff.

The date is uncertain, says Pagi at the year 398. Schelstrate assigns the year 400, because in this year no other council appears. But cf. Ballerini in the cited place.

Canon III. It pleased the council that bishops and presbyters and deacons, according to the prior (another reading: proper) statutes, be continent even from their wives. But if they have not done this, let them be removed from ecclesiastical office. But the other clerics are not to be compelled to this, but it ought to be observed according to the custom of each Church.

Since appeal is made to prior statutes, if you compare this canon with that of the preceding year 390, it seems one must say that subdeacons in Africa had not yet generally ministered to the Altar, and therefore they were not comprehended in the universal law of continence.