Bishop Elect Engurait has 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 Ngora, Uganda in 1971, Father Simon Peter is one of fourteen children. His early education led him through Catholic seminaries in Uganda before a career in public service, including roles in Uganda’s government and a Master of Business Administration from the Netherlands. During his career, he rose from entry level positions to senior management. While at Katigondo Seminary in Uganda, he had a profound encounter with the Catholic Charismatic Renewal that shaped his spiritual path and ultimately led him back to discern a priestly vocation.

In 2007, he was accepted as a Seminarian for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans where he graduated with a Master of Divinity. He was ordained a deacon on May 12, 2012 at St. Bernadette Church in Houma, and on May 25, 2013, he was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma— both ordinations by Bishop Sam Jacobs.

He served as Associate Pastor at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales, St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Thibodaux and Christ the Redeemer in Thibodaux. In January of 2017, he was appointed as Administrator and later Pastor of St. Bridget Church in Schriever where he has been to date. He has held multiple diocesan leadership positions including Moderator of the Curia, Coordinator of Christian Formation, and most recently Vicar General. He also served as interim Executive Director of Catholic Charities, and as a member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors.

“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,” said Bishop Elect Engurait. “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. I love you, and I consider it a great honor to serve you as your bishop.”

Full Biography

Simon Peter Engurait was born in Ngora, located in the Eastern region of Uganda, on August 28, 1971. He is the son of the late Clement William Aeko and Crencentia Aeko, and he is the seventh of fourteen children (ten girls and four boys). Four of his siblings are deceased, and he has an older sister who is a religious in the Franciscan order and an older brother who is a diocesan priest.

The family was raised in the small town of Ngora and belongs to St. Joseph’s Catholic Parish in the Diocese of Soroti. His father was a teacher by profession, specializing in the education of the deaf, while his mother was a homemaker.

After completing elementary education in Ngora, he entered St. Peter’s Minor Seminary in Soroti for junior high school, and thereafter attended St. Peters College Tororo for high school. He then entered Katigondo National Major Seminary, a college seminary, to study philosophy. Midway through his formation, he discontinued seminary studies and entered Makerere University in Kampala, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Political Science and Public Administration. 

After graduating, he pursued an 11-year career with the Government of Uganda in the Department responsible for the reform and divestiture of public enterprises. During this time, he took a break to undertake graduate studies in the Netherlands where he earned a Master of Business Administration. He worked in various departments, including human resources, procurement and business analysis, and advanced from entry level positions to management roles.

While at Katigondo Seminary, he encountered God in the movement of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, which made a lasting impact upon his life. He became actively involved in the movement throughout his time at Makerere University and later served as the Kampala Archdiocesan leader and on the National Service Team. It was through this ministry that in 2003, he met Bishop Sam Jacobs, who would later ordain him.

In 2007, after a long period of prayer and discernment, he was accepted as a Seminarian for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and entered Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans where he graduated with a Master of Divinity. He was ordained a deacon on May 12, 2012 at St Bernadette Church in Houma, and on May 25, 2013, he was ordained a priest at the Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma—both ordinations by Bishop Sam Jacobs.

His first assignments were as Associate Pastor at St. Francis Cathedral for two years, followed by one year at St. Genevieve Church in Thibodaux and six months at Christ the Redeemer Church in Thibodaux. In January of 2017, he was appointed as Administrator and later Pastor of St. Bridget Church, where he has been to present day.

Father Simon Peter has also served in various Diocesan roles. Most notably, in 2017, Bishop Shelton Fabre appointed him as Moderator of the Curia and Coordinator of Christian Formation, and later as Vicar General for Administration. In 2023, Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville appointed him as Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. He also served as a board member for Catholic Charities and as a member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors.

Following the sudden death of Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, he was elected to serve as Diocesan Administrator on January 22, 2024 and has continued in this role to date.