The Mediterranean Catholic Institute is a higher education private institution associated with the Catholic University of Lyon. In this regard, it participates to the mission of French catholic universities, mission defined by pontifical statements Sapientia Christiana and Ex corde ecclesiae. It is run by a non profit law, with an Administration Council where seat as by law members the Archbishop from Marseilles, the rector and President of the Catholic University of Lyon, other Bishops from the ecclesiastic province.

The main element of ICM is the Theology and Science Institute for Religions (ISTR), created in October 1992 under the initiative of Cardinal Coffy, Archbishop from Marseilles, according the orientations defined by the Synode in 1991. Its duty consists in working to think Christian faith in the Assise spirit, i-e, allow a reflection on Christian identity based on plurality of cultures and religions.

The ISTR gathers several departments, in the centre of which seats the Department of Interfaith Studies (DEI) which comprises a cycle of preparation to specific diplomas in science and theology and to a cycle of preparation to canon diplomas. In relation with this DEI, two other departments have been created. The first, entitled Ecole Pastorale de l’ISTR, aims at developing academic proposals able to support diocese or Church organs to take into account the orientations defined in the “Assise Spirit”. The second is the Department of spirituality, which develops the same founding intuition by collecting the spiritual results of the interfaith encounter and striving to build a Christian faith of dialogue.

ICM also counts three other departments. The research and publication unit gathering on the one hand research activities (seminars, workshops, laboratories, studies) as well as an Euro Mediterranean Peace Observatory, and on the other hand, an editorial work comprising a magazine (twice a year), a collection and other works. The professional training unit gathers the permanent training activities (education, health, social services, territorial agencies…). Lastly the unit devoted to cultural activities organizes seminars, conferences, exposals, study trips in order to sensibilize audience to the perspectives of dialogue and peace.

ICM is also involved in several international networks: International Federation of catholic Universities, the Pontifical Council for Culture and UNESCO.
In fact, taking into account its geographical location and of its specialization in interfaith relations, the FIUC assigned ICM a mission of coordination of the euro Mediterranean pole towards the research network on intercultural and interfaith dialogue.

Lastly, since December 2006, ICM is part of the international expertise network coordinated by UNESCO Cataluña, in connection with the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. This network concerns meditation work with a religious dimension in urban zones conflicts.