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Crecensia Aeko, the mother of Monsignor Simon Peter Enguriat, the newly appointed Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in Louisiana, USA, has shared her emotions and reflections on her son’s extraordinary journey to the priesthood and now, the episcopacy.
The news of her son’s appointment, which came on June 5, reached Ms. Aeko while she was engaged in prayer.
Reflecting on her reaction, she recalled ululations of thanksgiving, a mixture of joy and deep emotion, especially after the heartbreaking loss of her firstborn son.
“This has changed my life, especially after the loss of my son, the firstborn,” she said, adding that her family had always hoped for a priest among them.
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She recalled that two of her sons, including Bishop-elect Simon Peter, are now priests, with her remaining son, Fr. Bernard Martin Aeko, serving in the Diocese of Soroti, Uganda.
Reflecting on the journey, Ms. Aeko described the hardships Simon Peter faced before becoming a priest, including not initially being shortlisted for Uganda's Major Seminary.
Crecensia Aeko, the mother of Monsignor Simon Peter Enguriat,
Strength Amidst Tragedy
The loss of her son in a violent attack last year still weighs heavily on her, but Ms. Aeko revealed that her faith and prayers helped her forgive those responsible for the killing, even recalling how one of the attackers had attempted to murder her in her own bedroom.
"God wanted me to see this day," she said, in reference to her son's appointment as Bishop.
Ms. Aeko detailed Simon Peter’s path to the priesthood, from his studies at Makerere University to his work with the Charismatic Renewal in Uganda.
His encounter with an American bishop eventually reignited his calling to serve God, leading him to his current role in the United States.
The community of St. Aloysius Primary School, which produced two bishops, also expressed joy at Simon Peter’s appointment, a moment of great pride for his former schoolmates.