on 17 january 1976, cacciavillan was appointed pro-nuncio to kenya and apostolic delegate to the seychelles, as well as titular archbishop of amiternum, by pope paul vi. he received his episcopal consecration on 21 february from cardinal jean-marie villot, with archbishop duraisamy simon lourdusamy and bishop carlo fanton serving as co-consecrators, at st. peter's basilica. he selected as his episcopal motto: ""in virtute dei"".