It works to alleviate problems of poverty and exclusion of all sections of the population and seeks to promote social justice.

It was founded by the French priest Jean Rodhain [fr], former chaplain to prisoners of war, with the approval of the Assembly of Cardinals and Archbishops of France.

His goal was to work with volunteers to support persons experiencing poverty without distinction of race, religion or nationality.

[6][7] In 1962, Secours Catholique received reconnu d'utilité publique status ('recognised as being of public interest') which brought with it certain advantages related to donations.

[6][7] In the 1970s and 1980s, in the context of rising unemployment and new precariousness, Secours Catholique urged the public authorities to initiate social justice policies to combat the causes of poverty.