 He also served as assistant chancellor (1926-1931) and chancellor (1931-1937) of the diocese.On December 16, 1937, Cotton was appointed the first Bishop of the newly erected Diocese of Owensboro by Pope Pius XI.He received his episcopal consecration on February 24, 1938 from Archbishop John A. Floersh, with Bishops Theodore H. Reverman and Moses E. Kiley serving as co-consecrators.