Dr. Mc Brides greatest achievement was realised towards the end of his term as Provincial. Before World War II the German Franciscans had taken over the Community at Kokstad. They were interned during the war and were unable to get Friars to replace them from Germany, Dr. Mc Bride agreed to help by sending out Friars from Ireland and accepting the post of Vicar Apostolic of Kokstad himself.

He was ordained Bishop of Exani in 1949 and became the 1st Bishop of Kokstad in South Africa in 1951, the number of catholics in the diocese increased from 4,500 in 1951 to 45,000 in 1980. He returned to Ireland regularly to fund raise and lead the Irish Franciscan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Amongst his accomplishments were a temporary seminary at Queenstown in 1948 set up by two Irish Friars, sent by the Bishop. A permanent seminary in Pretoria opened in 1951 with a staff of 12 Friars, which soon built up a reputation for excellence. Two hospitals, one in Bizana and the other in Lusikisiki as well as many churches, schools and clinics. Through his love for and his influence with the various branches of the Franciscan Order he was able to staff the hospitals with Franciscan Sisters, making both hospitals oases of healing and models of efficent administration, where many African girls were trained to look after and care for their own people.

During his last years in Africa many new problems arose, amongst them Apartheid, the introduction of new and inferior methods of education for Africans, the Group Areas Act, putting severe restrictions on people, these all had to be faced. His health became fragile during this period and he retired to his dearly loved Ireland in 1978.

He spent the last 13 years of his life in Merchants Quay, where he begun his ordained ministry, he continued his devotion to Our Lady and his pastoral duties by his annual pilgrimage to Lourdes until ill health and old age restricted him. He died peacefully on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on the 11th of february 1991, and was burrried a devoted son of Saint Francis in the brown habit which he wore proudly all his life. His final resting place, the Franciscan plot at Glasnevin, amongst his fellow Friars.