Paschal Norbert
LOUISIANA, JUNE 5,2025 (CISA)– Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr Simon Peter Engurait to be the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The announcement was made this morning in Rome by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
Bishop Elect Engurait has served as the Diocesan Administrator in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux since January 2024, upon the passing of Bishop Mario Dorsonville. He previously served as the Vicar General since 2017 and has also served as the pastor of St. Bridget Parish since that time as well.
“I did not expect this—I am humbled beyond words that the Holy Father has chosen me, not from outside, but from among the ranks of the priests of this beloved Diocese,” said Bishop Elect Engurait.
“I give thanks to God for the gift of life, for the call to the priesthood, and now, for this new and sacred calling to the apostolic ministry. Everything I am, and all that I hope to be, is by His grace,” he said.
Born in Ngora, Uganda in 1971, Father Simon Peter is one of fourteen children. His early education led him through Catholic seminaries in Uganda before a career in public service, including roles in Uganda’s government and a Master of Business Administration from the Netherlands. During his career, he rose from entry level positions to senior management. While at Katigondo Seminary in Uganda, he had a profound encounter with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal that shaped his spiritual path and ultimately led him back to discern a priestly vocation.
In 2007, he was accepted as a Seminarian for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans where he graduated with a Master of Divinity. He was ordained a deacon on May 12, 2012 at St. Bernadette Church in Houma, and on May 25, 2013, he was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma— both ordinations by Bishop Sam Jacobs.
He served as Associate Pastor at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Thibodaux and Christ the Redeemer in Thibodaux. In January of 2017, he was appointed as Administrator and later Pastor of St. Bridget Church in Schriever where he has been to date. He has held multiple diocesan leadership positions including Moderator of the Curia, Coordinator of Christian Formation, and most recently Vicar General. He also served as interim Executive Director of Catholic Charities, and as a member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors.
“While I am still shocked by the news that the Lord has asked me to be a bishop, I must admit that knowing the people of this diocese brings me great comfort in saying yes,” said Bishop Elect Engurait. “South Louisiana is home, and I love the people here. It is a privilege to say yes to you as much as I am saying yes to God. I love you, and I consider it a great honor to serve you as your bishop.”
Biography
Fr. Simon Peter Engurait was born in Ngora, (located in the Eastern region of Uganda) on 28th August 1971. He is the son of the late Clement William Aeko and Crencentia Aeko and the seventh of fourteen children (ten girls and four boys). Four of his siblings are deceased and he has an older sister who is a religious in the Franciscan order and an older brother who is a Diocesan priest.
The family was raised in the small town of Ngora and belong to St Joseph’s Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Soroti. His father was a teacher by profession and specialized the Education of the Deaf while his mother was a homemaker.
After elementary education in Ngora, he entered St Peter’s Minor Seminary, Soroti for junior high school and thereafter attended St Peters College, Tororo for high school. He then entered Katigondo National Major Seminary, a college seminary for studies in Philosophy. Midway, he discontinued seminary formation and entered Makerere University, Kampala where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Political Science and Public Administration. After graduating, he had an 11 year career with the Government of Uganda in the Department responsible for the reform and divestiture of public enterprises. In the course of his career, he took a break to undertake graduate studies in the Netherlands where he earned a Master of Business Administration. He served in various roles including human resources, procurement and business analysis. In the course of his career, he rose from entry level position to management.
While at Katigondo Seminary, he had an encounter with the Catholic Charismatic renewal which has had a lasting impact upon his life. He got actively involved in the movement throughout his time at Makerere University and thereafter got to serve as the Kampala Archdiocesan leader of the movement as well as on the National Service Team. It was through this that in 2003, he met Bishop Sam Jacobs who would later ordain him.
In 2007 after a protracted period of prayer and discernment, he was accepted as a Seminarian for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and entered Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans where he graduated with a Master of Divinity. He was ordained a deacon on 12th May 2012 at St Bernadette Church in Houma and on 25th May 2013 was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of St Francis de Sales, Houma both by Bishop Sam Jacobs.
His first assignments were as Associate Pastor at St Francis Cathedral where he served for two years, thereafter St Genevieve in Thibodaux for one year and thereafter to Christ the Redeemer for six months. In January 2017 he was appointed as Administrator and later Pastor of St Bridget where he has been to date.
Father Simon Peter has also served in various Diocesan roles. Most notable was his appointment in 2017 by Bishop Shelton Fabre as the Moderator of the Curia and Coordinator of Christian Formation and later as Vicar General for Administration. In 2023 Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville Appointed him as Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia. He also served as Board Member for Catholic Charities, member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors.
Following the sudden death of Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, he was elected to serve as Diocesan Administrator on January 22, 2024 and has served to date.
