In 1996, Archbishop Anthony Pantin instructed the Archdiocese of Port Spain to establish an organization for the purpose of:

• Standardizing and integrating all existing educational and developmental programmes and activities approved by the Archdiocese;
• Developing new educational and developmental programmes and activities for all levels of Catholic faithful, as well as for members of the general public who might be interested in the Archdiocesan educational initiatives.

As a result of this vision and directive, CREDI was legally established through an Act of Parliament (Act # 41 of 1997). At the Archdiocesan Synod of 2005, recommendations were again articulated highlighting the need for this type of institution. The Most Reverend Edward Gilbert, Archbishop of Port of Spain at that time, requested that the idea of a tertiary level Catholic Institute be reactivated and made fully operational.

In October 2007, under the guidance of the Vicar of Administration for the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, the then Msgr. Charles Jason Gordon, CREDI established its offices and appointed a Board of Directors. In July 2008, CREDI was registered by the ACTT and has maintained its status as a registered tertiary institution to the present. Up to 2019, CREDI concentrated, in the main, on offering Bachelor of Education programmes to teachers and potential teachers.

However, on February 1, 2020 CREDI took a bold step in a new direction, shifting its focus from secular academic programmes to one which brings its pastoral mandate to the fore.  The institution is committed fully to working in the service of the Archdiocese and has aligned all its programmes and activities to the Aspiration of the Archdiocese as stated in the Archdiocesan Pastoral Plan.

“We are the people of God united by Word and Sacrament, building Christ-centred communities that form Catholics to discern their vocation as missionary disciples of Jesus and who work for the development of each person, every dimension of the human person, and all peoples with a preferential option for the youth and the poor.”