 Bourne was rector of the House of Studies at Henfield Place from 1889 to 1891, at which time he began teaching at St. John's Seminary in Wonersh, of which he became rector on 14 March 1896.He was raised to the rank of Domestic Prelate of His Holiness by Pope Leo XIII in 1895.On 27 March 1896 Bourne was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Southwark and Titular Bishop of "Epiphania in Cilicia".