Simon Peter Engurait
| His Excellency, The Most Reverend Simon Peter Engurait | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Houma–Thibodaux | |
| Diocese | Houma-Thibodaux |
| Appointed | June 5, 2025 |
| Installed | September 5, 2025 |
| Predecessor | Mario Dorsonville |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | May 25, 2013 by Sam Jacobs |
| Consecration | September 5, 2025 by Gregory Michael Aymond, Shelton Fabre, and Sam Jacobs |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 28, 1971 Ngora, Uganda |
| Alma mater | St. Peter's College Makerere University Maastricht School of Management Notre Dame Seminary |
| Motto | In Deo tantum (Latin for 'Only in God') |
| Styles | |
| File:Coat of arms of Simon Peter Engurait.svg | |
| Reference style | His Excellency The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Simon Peter Engurait (born August 28, 1971) is a Ugandan American Catholic prelate who serves as bishop of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana.
Biography
Early life and education
Engurait was born on August 28, 1971, in Ngora, Uganda, the seventh of fourteen children.[1][2] One of his siblings is a Catholic priest and another is a religious sister.[2] He studied at St. Peter's College in Tororo and earned a bachelor's degree in political science and public administration from Makerere University in Kampala in 1995. Engurait then obtained a Master of Business Administration degree in 1999 from the Maastricht School of Management in Maastricht, Netherlands.[3]
In 2007, deciding to become a priest, Engurait moved to the United States to study theology. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 2013.[4][5]
Priesthood
Engurait was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma on May 25, 2013, by Bishop Sam Jacobs.[3] After his ordination, the diocese assigned him as an associate pastor at the cathedral parish. He was transferred in 2015 to St. Genevieve Parish in Thibodaux. One year later, the diocese sent Engurait to serve at Christ the Redeemer Parish in Thibodaux. Engurait was appointed pastor of St. Bridget Parish in Schriever in January 2017.[6]
Diocesan leadership
Bishop Shelton Fabre appointed Engurait as moderator of the curia in 2016. The next year, he was named vicar general of the diocese.[4] Following the death of Bishop Mario Dorsonville in January 2024, Engurait was named diocesan administrator of the diocese. He served in this role until June 2025.[6]
Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux
On June 5, 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed Engurait as the sixth bishop of Houma-Thibodaux.[7] He was consecrated at the Stopher Gymnasium of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux on September 5, 2025 by Archbishop Gregory Michael Aymond.[8][9]
Personal life
Engurait speaks English, Ateso, Kiswahili, and Spanish.[4] He states that he has been deeply influenced by Cajun culture.[10]
See also
Episcopal succession
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mario Dorsonville |
Bishop of Houma–Thibodaux 2025-present |
Incumbent |
References
- Back to citation "Our Bishop Elect Fr. Simon Peter Engurait". Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
- Back to citation occurrence 2.0 Back to citation occurrence 2.1 Guzik, Paulina (June 5, 2025). "Pope Leo XIV names Uganda native, Father Simon Peter Engurait, as bishop of Houma-Thibodaux". OSV News. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
- Back to citation occurrence 3.0 Back to citation occurrence 3.1 "Pope Leo XIV Appoints Father Simon Peter Engurait as Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux". United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
- Back to citation occurrence 4.0 Back to citation occurrence 4.1 Back to citation occurrence 4.2 Moses, Nigell (June 5, 2025). "Father Simon Peter Engurait Named Sixth Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux". WWL Louisiana. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
- Back to citation "Introducing Our Bishop Elect, Father Simon Peter Engurait". Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Pastoral Center. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
- Back to citation occurrence 6.0 Back to citation occurrence 6.1 "Ugandan priest named diocesan administrator of Louisiana diocese following death of bishop". Catholic News Agency. January 26, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
- Back to citation "Resignations and Appointments, 05.06.2025:Appointment of bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, U.S.A." Holy See Press Office. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
- Back to citation "New Louisiana bishop says he finds 'strength, hope and courage' in God". Detroit Catholic. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
- Back to citation "Bishop Simon Peter Engurait [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
- Back to citation "Who is Fr. Simon Peter Engurait?". Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. June 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.