Five years later he left Buffalo to attend the Urban College for the Propagation of the Faith in Rome, Italy.

In November 1950 he was chosen to establish the new parish of Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Buffalo's West Side.

On April 6, 1950, Pope Pius XII made him a Private Chamberlain with the title of Very Reverend Monsignor.

In addition to his work as chancellor, Bishop McLaughlin has been a member of the board of diocesan Consultors and a vicar general.

McLaughlin was appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo on December 28, 1968, and received his episcopal consecration on January 6, 1969, from Pope Paul VI.

On September 14, 1968, he was made a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City by Archbishop Terence Cooke.