Fr. Simon Peter Engurait Ordained and Installed as Sixth Bishop of Houma-Thibodaux

THIBODAUX, LA- More than 2,000 lay faithful, clergy and religious from around the world gathered on Friday, September 5 as the Very Reverend Simon Peter Engurait was ordained and installed as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux.

Bishop Simon Peter Engurait was ordained by Archbishop Gregory Aymond, along with co-consecrators Archbishop Shelton Fabre (fourth bishop of Houma-Thibodaux) and Bishop Sam Jacobs (third bishop of Houma-Thibodaux). Forty bishops were present to lay hands on the Bishop-Elect as a part of the ordination rite, representing apostolic succession. Concelebrants also included His Eminence Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States and a representative of Pope Leo XIV, and His Eminence, Wilton Cardinal Gregory, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington. Houma-Thibodaux’s second Bishop, Michael Jarrell, was in attendance as well. 

Bishop Simon Peter’s mother had a front row seat for this momentous occasion, along with five of his 13 siblings and multiple family members and friends from his homeland in Uganda. Civic, community, and interfaith leaders were also in attendance, as well as thousands tuning in around the world via live stream and multiple television networks. 

The liturgy featured four choirs, five languages, and Ugandan liturgical cultural practices, uniting Bishop Simon Peter’s homeland of Uganda to his new home.  

In his closing remarks, Bishop Simon Peter expressed gratitude, humility, and a desire to serve.

“As a new bishop, I promise you that my first labor will be to stay close to Jesus so that everything I do flows from His love,” he said. “A bishop is not meant to be a distant administrator, but rather a pastor who walks among his people. I want my ministry to be a ministry of presence. I want to be close to your families and parishes, close to you in your joys and in your sorrows, feeling with you the burdens you carry. I want to be a gentle and humble shepherd, never forgetting that the church is for service to those most in need.”

He added, “I want to live simply so that nothing in my life distracts me from the gospel. This is my pledge--to love you with unreserved heart.”

He went on, “Holiness is a journey not a possession. I do not pretend to be a saint, but I do long and strive for holiness. And I long for us to grow in holiness together.” 

Bishop Simon Peter also remembered with love Bishop Mario Dorsonville, his late father, Clement, and his brother Joseph who passed last year.

This is the second episcopal ordination held in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The first was Bishop Michael Jarrell in 1993.

Bishop Simon Peter is the first African bishop named in the mainland United States. 

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux had remained without a bishop since the passing of Bishop Mario Dorsonville in January of 2024.