 Less than 23 years later on 13 January 1981 he was elected titular Bishop of Astigi, Spain and auxiliary Bishop of Catania.He was consecrated a bishop on 14 February 1981 at Acireale Cathedral by Cardinal Salvatore Pappalardo.In 1985 he was nominated Bishop of Nicosia, in 1997, he was appointed Archbishop of Monreale, and on 15 October 2002 he was nominated Bishop of Acireale.