[1] He was appointed the Coadjutor Vicar Apostolic of Scotland and Titular Bishop of Nicopolis ad Iaterum by the Holy See on 21 August 1705.
Owing to the severity of the persecution of Scottish Catholics at the time, great pains were taken to keep Gordon's appointment and consecration secret.
He was consecrated to the Episcopate in Montefiascone by order of Pope Clement XI, northwest of Rome, on 11 April 1706.
In 1720 Gordon wrote to the Propaganda recommending John Wallace be appointed coadjutor to which the Pope assented.
James Gordon was appointed the Vicar Apostolic of Lowland District with John Wallace being the coadjutor therein.