Pastor Assignments/Father Arokia Dass David

Friday, Jul. 04, 2025

Father Arokia Dass David was born in Paramakudi, Tamil Nadu, India. He attended Loyola College in Chennai, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature. He then entered Sacred Heart Seminary for his Bachelor of Theology, and later received a master’s degree in Christian Studies from the University of Madras. He was ordained a priest on April 26, 2009, by the Most Rev. Anthonisamy Neethinathan, Bishop of Chingleput, India.

Fr. David first served as vice rector and associate pastor for a year, then as secretary to the bishop. He later served another year as vice rector at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rainy Hill in India, before coming to Utah in 2013. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at Saint Patrick Parish in Salt Lake City. He then served two-year assignments as parochial vicar at Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Midvale and Saints Peter and Paul Parish in West Valley City. After a year at Saint George Parish in St. George he was appointed administrator of Saint Helen Parish in Roosevelt and its associated missions. 

In 2019, he was named administrator of Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church in Price, as well as Good Shepherd Catholic Church in East Carbon and its missions. When he was incardinated into the Diocese of Salt Lake City in 2021, he became pastor of those parishes.

On Aug. 1, he will become pastor of Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Park City and of Saint Lawrence Mission in Heber.

In addition to his pastoral assignments, Fr. David has served as Dean of the Eastern Deanery and as chaplain of the diocesan Charismatic Renewal.

“My priestly journey has taken me from a small town in India to various corners of Utah, and each step has deepened my love for Christ and his Church,” Fr. David said. “I have served in diverse communities, witnessing how faith unites people across cultures. I hope to walk with my new parishioners as a spiritual father and fellow pilgrim in faith.”

In his leisure time, “I enjoy reading Scripture in its original languages – Hebrew and Koine Greek – as well as exploring spiritual and psychological literature,” he said. “I also have a deep interest in counseling and enjoy experimenting with healthy cooking.”