Pathil started his teaching career as a professor of theology at Dharmaram College, Bangalore in 1979. He was the dean of the faculty of theology of the same college in 1992 to 1997. He served as the Secretary of the Indian Theological Association. Then he became the President of Indian Theological Association. He is a Member of the CBCIDoctrinal Commission. He is also a Member of the Asian Ecumenical Committee of FABC. Presently he is the provincial of the Trivandrum province of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate.