cistone was later named the sixth bishop of saginaw, michigan, by pope benedict xvi on may 20, 2009. he succeeded robert j. carlson (who was appointed archbishop of st. louis the previous april), and was installed on july 28, 2009. as bishop, he serves as the spiritual leader for 120,000 catholics in central michigan. within the united states conference of catholic bishops, cistone was a member of the committee for protection of children and young people, committee for cultural diversity in the church, subcommittee for african-american affairs, and committee on budget and finance.