Today, the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in southeastern Louisiana will witness a milestone that blends history, faith, and cultural convergence. Very Reverend Simon Peter Engurait will be ordained and installed as the diocese’s sixth bishop, becoming the first native African to serve as a Catholic bishop on the American mainland. The moment marks not only the first episcopal ordination in the diocese since 1993 but also a profound testament to a life shaped by resilience, service, and unwavering faith.
Born on August 28, 1971, in Ngora, Uganda, Engurait grew up the seventh of 14 children in a devout Catholic family. His early years were steeped in faith, with two siblings also dedicating their lives to the Church—a brother as a diocesan priest and a sister as a Franciscan nun. His education at St. Peter’s Minor Seminary in Soroti and St. Peter’s College in Tororo laid the foundations of his spiritual journey, though his path to priesthood was anything but straightforward.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science and public administration from Makerere University in Kampala, he pursued a career in public service, rising through the ranks of Uganda’s government. Further studies took him to the Netherlands, where he completed a Master of Business Administration at the Maastricht School of Management. Yet despite his professional success, a transformative encounter with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal at Katigondo Seminary reignited a long-buried calling to priesthood, eventually leading him to make a life-altering decision.
In 2007, at age 36, Engurait left behind his career and homeland to begin seminary formation in the United States. Accepted by the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, he studied at Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, earning a Master of Divinity. He was ordained a deacon in 2012 at St. Bernadette Church in Houma and a priest in 2013 at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales under Bishop Sam Jacobs. From the start, his ministry was marked by a deep connection with the people of South Louisiana.
His pastoral journey included assignments at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, St. Genevieve Catholic Church, and Christ the Redeemer in Thibodaux. In 2017, he became administrator—and later pastor—of St. Bridget Church in Schriever, a community he has served faithfully for eight years. Alongside his parish duties, he took on significant diocesan responsibilities: Moderator of the Curia, Coordinator of Christian Formation, Vicar General, interim Executive Director of Catholic Charities, and membership on both the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors. When Bishop Mario Dorsonville passed away in January 2024, Engurait stepped into the role of diocesan administrator, guiding the faithful through a difficult period of transition with steadiness and compassion.
On June 5, 2025, Pope Leo XIV officially appointed him bishop of Houma-Thibodaux, a decision announced by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. The appointment sparked joy across the diocese and beyond, not least because it carried historic weight: for the first time, a native African priest would shepherd a diocese on American soil. “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,” Engurait said in response. “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.”
His humility was equally evident at the press conference that followed, where he compared his reaction to the surprise of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Annunciation. Recalling the call from Cardinal Pierre, he admitted to being “shocked… and profoundly humbled,” and entrusted his mission to Our Lady of Prompt Succor and Our Lady of Guadalupe, both sources of deep devotion for him.
Those who know Engurait testify to his warmth, humor, and ability to connect across cultures. He often credits the late Msgr. Francis LeJeune for introducing him to the richness of bayou life and jokes that within six months of arriving, he knew the diocese better than many native seminarians. His affection for the people of South Louisiana is evident in his own words: “South Louisiana is home, and I love the people here. I promise to listen, to learn, and will labor with you and for you.”
Engurait’s rise to the episcopacy reflects not only personal devotion but also the universality of the Catholic Church. His fluency in English, Ateso, Kiswahili, and Spanish allows him to embrace the diocese’s diverse communities, while his background in government, business, and pastoral ministry gives him a uniquely broad perspective. Parishioners and colleagues alike describe him as a compassionate shepherd, gifted at fostering unity and inspiring faith through both word and action.
As the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux prepares for his ordination on September 5, 2025, at 1:45 p.m. CST, anticipation runs high. The liturgy, which will be streamed live, is expected to draw Catholics around the world eager to witness this moment of historic significance. For the diocese, it is a celebration of faith, culture, and continuity. For Bishop Simon Peter Engurait, it is the fulfillment of a journey that began in a small Ugandan village and now blossoms on the banks of the bayou.
His story is one of breaking boundaries—geographic, cultural, and historical. From Ngora to Louisiana, his journey embodies the universal call to service and the enduring strength of faith. With humility and gratitude, Bishop Engurait steps into his new role not only as a leader of a diocese but also as a beacon of unity and hope for Catholics everywhere.
