Obituary of Father Christie Arulthasan Joachimpillai
Fr. Christie A. Joachimpillai, OMI (1931–2025)
Fr. Christie A. Joachimpillai, OMI, a devoted priest and scholar, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones, in Toronto, on August 30th, 2025. Loving son of late Regina and K.K. Joachimpillai, brother of Anton (Syracuse, NY), late Rita, late Edward and Grace (Toronto). Brother-in-law of Sharon, late Mahes, late Andrew, Rajes and Guy.
Born on January 6, 1931, in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, he dedicated his life to the service of God through the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, whom he joined in 1949. He was ordained in Rome in 1956, beginning a remarkable journey of teaching and ministry that would take him from Sri Lanka to Rome, Jerusalem, and then to the US and finally to Canada, where he would spend the last 50+ years of his life.
A gifted theologian and biblical scholar, Fr. Christie earned degrees from the Angelicum, Biblicum and Gregorium Universities in Rome and the École Biblique in Jerusalem. He was fluent in several languages, and served in seminaries and theological schools in Sri Lanka, the United States, and Canada, including 26 years at St. Augustine’s Seminary, Toronto where he mentored countless seminarians, priests, and lay leaders. He was the founding pastor of the Tamil Catholic Community of Toronto. His quiet wisdom, unwavering faith, and decades of service have left an indelible mark on the Church and all who knew him.
“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Master.”
— Matthew 25:21
