Soroti Diocese ‘s Fr. Simon Peter Engurait appointed as new Diocesan administrator in The Diocese of Houma, Thibodaux

Soroti Diocese ‘s Fr. Simon Peter Engurait appointed as new Diocesan administrator in The Diocese of Houma, Thibodaux – Louisiana.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux announces that the College of Consultors has elected Reverend Simon Peter Engurait as the Diocesan Administrator. Father Engurait will serve the diocese as its leader until the Holy Father appoints a new bishop.

Upon the untimely death Friday, January 19, 2024, of Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, the office of bishop in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux was officially declared vacant, or sede vacante. Thus, according to canon law, the College of Consultors was charged with selecting a diocesan administrator within eight days, a period known as the interregnum.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux College of Consultors met on Monday, January 22, to elect the new Diocesan Administrator. The diocesan administrator continues the work of the bishop until a future bishop is named by the Holy Father.

Upon his election, Father Engurait made a profession of faith in the presence of the College of Consultors and notified the Apostolic Nuncio of his election.

Father Engurait is a native of Ngora, Uganda, and a 2013 Master of Divinity graduate of Notre Dame Seminary. He was ordained by Bishop Sam Jacobs at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral on May 26, 2013. He served as associate pastor at St. Francis, St. Hilary of Poitiers (Mathews), St. Genevieve (Thibodaux), and Christ the Redeemer (Thibodaux) before his current post as pastor of St. Bridget (Schriever). He has been serving at St. Bridget and as the vicar general of the diocese since 2017.

Father Engurait immediately assumed leadership as Diocesan Administrator. When asked about his election, he stated, “I’m humbled by the confidence of my brother priests. I commit to serve God and his people in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.