on november 28, 1977, steiner was appointed auxiliary bishop of portland and titular bishop of "avensa" by pope paul vi. he received his episcopal consecration on march 2, 1978 from archbishop cornelius power, with bishops elden curtiss and alfredo méndez-gonzalez, at the portland civic auditorium. in addition to his episcopal duties, he served as pastor of st. mary church in corvallis (until 2000), vicar for clergy and clergy personnel director (1978–1980), vicar for worship and ministry (1979–1981), and chairman of the priests' retirement facility committee (1986–1993).