-
Our BishopMost Rev. Simon Peter Engurait
-
Beloved by our people, Bishop Simon Peter is the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.
Born in Uganda, he came to the diocese in 2007, was ordained a priest in 2013 and served in parish ministry and diocesan leadership before being appointed bishop by Pope Leo XIV in 2025.
Bishop Simon Peter is committed to the pastoral care of our diocese, walking closely with our people and helping them to grow in holiness each day.
-
-
-
One Year As Bishop
Bishop Simon Peter Engurait recently celebrated one year as bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux!
In a special message, Bishop Simon Peter reflects on his first year of ministry as he looks back on the people, moments and blessings that have shaped his first year as our bishop.
You can also relive the special moments from his ordination and installation week and celebrate this milestone with us.
What a beautiful week it was!
-
-
-
-
-
Learn about Most Reverend Simon Peter EnguraitOn June 5, 2025, Pope Leo XIV appointed Father Simon Peter Engurait to be the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.
He had 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 Uganda in 1971, he is one of fourteen children and was formed in Catholic seminaries before working in public service and earning an MBA in the Netherlands. A profound spiritual encounter with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal led him to discern the priesthood, eventually bringing him to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in 2007, where he completed his formation at Notre Dame Seminary New Orleans and was ordained a priest in 2013.
Throughout his ministry, he has served in several parish assignments, most recently as pastor of St. Bridget Church in Schriever, while also holding key diocesan leadership roles including Vicar General. In accepting his new role, Bishop Engurait shared his love for the people of South Louisiana, calling it home and expressing his honor in serving both God and the faithful of the diocese as their bishop.
Learn more about Bishop Simon Peter Engurait below through his interviews and his full biography.
-
-
-
Episcopal Dual Coat of Arms
An episcopal coat of arms brings together symbols of a bishop, his diocese and his personal faith and heritage.
The traditional shield is topped by a green galero, or pilgrim’s hat, with six tassels on each side, signifying the rank of bishop. A gold processional cross stands behind the shield, symbolizing that Christ and His cross are at the center of a bishop’s life.
The left side of the shield represents the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, a dual-city diocese. The upper portion represents Houma and the lower represents Thibodaux. Learn more about the diocesan crest elements here.
Bishop Simon Peter selected the elements on the right side.
The red dove represents the Holy Spirit, whose presence has profoundly shaped his faith and ministry through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.
The three stars honor the Blessed Virgin Mary and represent Mary's virginity before, during and after the birth of Jesus. They also reflect Bishop's lifelong devotion to Mary as mother and model of discipleship.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus represents God’s love that surpasses all
understanding—a love that suffers, heals, and saves. It is the very heart that Bishop Simon Peter seeks to imitate as a bishop: a heart united to the Lamb of God, poured out in mercy.The white deer recalls both Bishop Engurait’s Ugandan heritage, where the duiker deer is the totem of his ancestral clan, and the deer found in South Louisiana. It also evokes Psalm 42: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.”
The flowing water represents life, the Nile River of his homeland, the bayous of his new home, as well as the waters of baptism and the living water of the Holy Spirit. From the Nile to the bayou, it is a reminder of God’s faithfulness.
The colors also carry meaning: blue recalls Mary, Louisiana and life-giving water; red represents fire, love and sacrifice; and white represents purity and joy.
The Motto
Bishop Engurait’s episcopal motto, “In Deo Tantum,” or “In God Alone,” expresses the foundation of his ministry and his trust in God.
It echoes Psalm 62: “My soul rests in God alone … He is my rock, my salvation, my fortress.”
-
-
Ministry Timeline
-
1985-1988
St. Peters Minor Seminary, Seminary Soroti. Junior High School
1989-1991
St. Peters College Tororo, High School
1991-1992
Katigondo National Major Seminary (Philosophical studies)
1992-1995
Makerere University, Kamapala
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Political Science & Public Administration)
1998-1999
Maastricht School of Management, Netherlands
Graduated with Master of Business Administration (MBA)
2007-2013
Notre Dame Seminary, New Orleans
Graduated with Master of Divinity (M.Div)
2016-2019
Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF)
Certification in Spiritual Direction & Retreat Ministry
-
Diaconate
May 12, 2012 at St. Bernadette Church, Houma
Priesthood
May 25, 2013 at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, Houma
Episcopal
September 5, 2025 at Nicholls State University, Thibodaux
-
July 2013
Associate Pastor, St. Francis de Sales Cathedral, Houma
July 2015
Associate Pastor, St. Genevieve Catholic Church, Thibodaux
July 2016
Associate Pastor, Christ the Redeemer, Thibodaux
January 2017
Administrator and later Pastor, St. Bridget Catholic Church, Schriever
-
August 2014
Appointed Assistant Vocations Director
August 2015
Elected to the Presbyteral Council
March 2016
Appointed Moderator of the Curia & Coordinator of Christian Formation
March 2017
Appointed Vicar General for Administration
July 2017
Appointed member of the College of Consultors
September 2021
Appointed Interim Executive Director of Catholic Charities
September 2023
Appointed Vicar General & Moderator of the Curia
February 2024
Elected Diocesan Administrator
June 2025
Named Bishop-Elect
September 2025
Episcopal Ordination and Installation as Sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
-
-
Hear from Bishop
-
