The creation of the diocese was the work of Christopher Barlow, Bishop of North Queensland.

As part of the merger negotiations, an assistant bishop within that diocese was elected to oversee the Torres Strait Region.

However, unrest persisted and the islanders campaigned for an independent Torres Strait diocese.

According to the agreement, the Church of Torres Strait was to become a territory under the jurisdiction of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross, but day-to-day authority would remain devolved to a regional vicar.

On 1 July 1986, he was consecrated at All Souls' and St Bartholomew's Cathedral, Thursday Island, and served as an assistant bishop of Carpentaria diocese.