by Lorenzo Rossi
For the first time in almost eighty years of activity, the Secours Catholique finds itself forced to cut jobs. The French association, a point of reference for Caritas Internationalisinternally announced the suppression of 130 seatsequal to 14% of staffthrough a employment protection plan.
The measure, communicated on 9 October, is currently the subject of a consultation with the union representatives at the headquarters of Rue du Bac in Paris and represents a painful transition for an organization that has always fought for the dignity of work and the most vulnerable.
An unprecedented social plan
The plan includes a first phase of voluntary exitsbut does not rule out economic layoffs. In addition to the 130 positions actually occupied, they would be eliminated 58 vacancies and modified 28 roles25 of which are already covered: a potential total of over 150 layoffs. The decision, the management explains, is motivated by “increasingly unstable and less predictable resources” in a context of growing inflation and sharply increasing social needs, both in France and abroad. For the past sixteen years, the association has registered eleven loss-making balance sheets. After the positive peak in 2020, linked to extraordinary donations during the pandemic, Secours Catholique closed 2022 with 5 million euro deficit.
To this is added, according to the French Court of Auditorsa “structural deficit” aggravated by the decline and aging of the donors, who provide 78% of total resources.
The unions: « Poverty is increasing, but aid is being cut »
News of the social plan has sparked concern among employees and unions. « We knew they wanted to reduce the wage bill, but we didn’t expect much. One hundred and thirty places is really a lot,” an employee told the newspaper La Croix.
The union Asso Solidairesmajority, denounces a fundamental contradiction: “Poverty explodes and jobs are being cut precisely in the services closest to reality.”
A new one strike it is already being prepared, after the first mobilization on 18 September. The Social and Economic Committee (CSE) expressed reservations about the urgency of such measures, proposing alternative solutions such as a loan to finance investments or the putting the headquarters up for salenow considered too large.
The task entrusted to the consultancy firm Oasys, which will follow the restructuring for a cost of, was also criticised 500 thousand eurosa figure close to the savings expected from the 2024 hiring freezes.
What is Secours Catholique
Founded in 1946 fromabbot Jean Rodhainthe Secours Catholique is the main charitable organization of the Church of France. It is the French branch of Caritas Internationalisa global network present in over 160 countries.
Its mission is to fight all forms of poverty, exclusion and lonelinesspromoting the dignity and autonomy of people. Every year, thanks to a network of 932 employees and 60,000 volunteersthe association assists over a million people in France and abroad, offering meals, housing support, administrative support and social reintegration projects. Two symbolic places testify to this vocation: the Cité Saint-Pierre of Lourdeswhich welcomes poor pilgrims and families in difficulty, and the Maison d’Abraham in Jerusalemopen to volunteers and prayer groups from all over the world.
Eighty years of history in the balance
In the 2026 the Secours Catholique will celebrate eighty years of commitment at the service of the poor. But this anniversary risks being overshadowed by a financial crisis that calls into question its model of solidarity.
Despite the difficulties, the management assures that the mission of the association “remains intact”: to serve the most vulnerable with a spirit of sharing and brotherhood. A principle that the founder, Abbot Rodhain, summarized thus:
« It’s not about giving charity to the poor, but with the poor.”
