Catholic Historical Review has long been a Catholic-sponsored academic journal in the English-speaking world. The journal's mission is to promote scholarly research and communication in ecumenical church history, which covers not only the history of the Catholic Church, but also broader religious and social issues related to church history.

The journal's content is extensive, including original research articles, review articles, book reviews, and a list of current journal literature. These articles and commentaries not only deal with aspects of church doctrine, liturgy, theology, and Canon law, but also explore the social, cultural, and political influence of the Church in different historical periods and regions. Through this content, the journal provides a platform for scholars and researchers to study and discuss Catholic history in depth.