on 24 november 2015 wilson was appointed an auxiliary bishop in the archdiocese of westminster and titular bishop of lindisfarne by pope francis. he was ordained to the episcopate by cardinal vincent nichols on the feast of the conversion of st paul, 25 january 2016. he had pastoral care of the deaneries in the western area of the diocese. he was also chair of the education commission and had oversight of ecumenical work and inter-religious dialogue at diocesan level. he was also responsible for liturgy, art and architecture, as well as the historic churches commission.