 He was made a Prelate of Honour in 1999.On the day Maurice Taylor retired on 7 April 2004, Cunningham was appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Galloway by the Holy See.He was consecrated to the Episcopate on 28 May 2004, the principal consecrator being Cardinal Keith O'Brien, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh with co-consecrating bishops Maurice Taylor, Bishop Emeritus of Galloway and John Mone, Bishop of Paisley.