Simon Peter Engurait

His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Simon Peter Engurait
Bishop of Houma–Thibodaux
DioceseHouma-Thibodaux
AppointedJune 5, 2025
InstalledSeptember 5, 2025
PredecessorMario Dorsonville
Orders
OrdinationMay 25, 2013
by Sam Jacobs
ConsecrationSeptember 5, 2025
by Gregory Michael Aymond, Shelton Fabre, and Sam Jacobs
Personal details
Born (1971-08-28) August 28, 1971 (age 55)
Ngora, Uganda
Education
MottoIn Deo tantum
(Latin for 'Only in God')
Styles
Reference style
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

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. One of his siblings is a Catholic priest and another is a religious sister. 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.

Personal arms of Simón Pedro Engurait

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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux

On June 5, 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed Engurait as the sixth bishop of Houma-Thibodaux. He was consecrated at the Stopher Gymnasium of Nicholls State University in Thibodaux on September 5, 2025 by Archbishop Gregory Michael Aymond.

Personal life

Engurait speaks English, Ateso, Kiswahili, and Spanish. He states that he has been deeply influenced by Cajun culture.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Our Bishop Elect Fr. Simon Peter Engurait". Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  2. 1 2 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.
  3. 1 2 "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.
  4. 1 2 3 Moses, Nigell (June 5, 2025). "Father Simon Peter Engurait Named Sixth Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux". WWL Louisiana. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Introducing Our Bishop Elect, Father Simon Peter Engurait". Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux Pastoral Center. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Ugandan priest named diocesan administrator of Louisiana diocese following death of bishop". Catholic News Agency. January 26, 2024. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "New Louisiana bishop says he finds 'strength, hope and courage' in God". Detroit Catholic. Retrieved 2025-09-08.
  9. ↑ "Bishop Simon Peter Engurait [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2026-06-09.
  10. ↑ "Who is Fr. Simon Peter Engurait?". Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. June 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.

Episcopal succession