The Vatican announced earlier this week the new bishops of the dioceses of Pittsburgh and Houma-Thibodaux.
Pittsburgh
On Wednesday, June 4, Bishop Mark A. Eckman was named the new bishop of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Eckman, 66, is presently an auxiliary bishop of the diocese.
Eckman replaces Bishop David A. Zubik, 75, who submitted his resignation on his 75th birthday last September. In the Catholic Church, bishops submit their resignations at the retirement age of 75, although the resignations are not always immediately accepted.
Eckman, who was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, has served as an auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of Pittsburgh since Jan. 11, 2022. He was ordained a priest for the diocese on May 11, 1985.
“With a grateful and humble heart, I accept this appointment and ask for the prayers of all the faithful,” Eckman said in a statement released by the diocese.
“Together, we will continue the mission of Jesus Christ with hope.”
Louisiana
On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV appointed Rev. Simon Peter Engurait, a priest of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and current diocesan administrator, as the next bishop of the diocese.
The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux is located in southern Louisiana, southwest of New Orleans.
Bishop-elect Engurait was named the diocesan administrator following the death of Bishop Mario Dorsonville on Jan. 19, 2024.
“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,” he said in a release published by the diocese.
“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 added.
Born in Uganda, Engurait moved to the United States in 2007 when he was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 25, 2013.
Engurait was "shocked" by the news of his election as bishop, but said he "must admit that knowing the people of this diocese brings me great comfort in saying yes."
"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," said Engurait.
Uganda, Vietnam, Nicaragua
Eckman and Engurait are the third and fourth episcopal appointments Pope Leo XIV has made in the United States. Of the four, three — Engurait, Bishop Michael Pham of San Diego, and Bishop-elect Pedro Bismarck Chau of Newark — are immigrants.
Pope Leo XIV himself was the head of the Dicastery of Bishops until he was elected pope on May 8, 2025. The Dicastery of Bishops is the Curia group in charge of vetting potential bishops and making recommendations to the pope for appointments.
