 On 20 October 1984 it was announced that he would succeed the late Edward Rapallo as Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar and this was later confirmed on 14 November of that year.He, together with six other priests from around the world, was ordained bishop by Principal Consecrator Pope John Paul II and co-consecrators Cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo and Cardinal Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy on 6 January 1985 at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.A group of over 200 people travelled from Gibraltar to the Vatican City to witness the event.