Pope Leo XIV has appointed Uganda-born Father Simon Peter Engurait as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in southeastern Louisiana, United States.
The 53-year-old priest, ordained for the diocese in 2013, has been serving as diocesan administrator since the death of Bishop Mario Dorsonville in January 2024.
“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,” Engurait said in a statement.
“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.”
Engurait, who has also served as the diocesan vicar general and pastor of St. Bridget Parish since 2017, was ordained a priest on May 25, 2013, after entering seminary in the diocese in 2007 at the age of 36.
Bishop-elect Engurait was born in Ngora District, Eastern Uganda, on August 28, 1971. He is the seventh of 14 children—one a religious sister in the Franciscan order and another a diocesan priest.
Raised Catholic, he attended both junior high and high school minor seminaries. He began major seminary but left midway to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration at Makerere University in Kampala.
After graduating, Engurait worked for 11 years in the Ugandan government’s department for the reform and divestiture of public enterprises. He later earned a graduate degree in business administration in the Netherlands and went on to work in human resources, procurement, and business analysis, holding positions from entry-level to management.
While in major seminary as a young man in Uganda, Engurait had a life-changing encounter with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, leading him to take on leadership roles within the movement.
Through the Charismatic Renewal, he met Bishop Sam Jacobs—then bishop of Houma-Thibodaux (bishop emeritus since 2013)—in 2003. After years of prayer and discernment, Engurait was accepted into seminary in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux by Jacobs in 2007.
Since his ordination in 2013, he has served as associate pastor in several parishes, including at St. Bridget since 2017.
His diocesan roles have included moderator of the curia, coordinator of Christian formation, vicar general for administration, and vicar general and moderator of the curia. He has also served on the board of Catholic Charities.
Following the sudden death of Bishop Dorsonville on January 19, 2024, Engurait was elected to administer the diocese until the appointment of a new bishop. Bishop-elect Engurait will become the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.
