 He then returned to the United States, where he served as secretary of the Apostolic Delegation in Washington, D.C. (1938–52).He was named a papal chamberlain in August 1938, and raised to the rank of domestic prelate in April 1948.On February 8, 1952, McShea was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and titular bishop of "Mina" by Pope Pius XII.