Real Estate & The New Evangelization Conference 2022 - Global Institute of Church Management

April 28-30, 2022 - Rome

The first event of its kind for managing Church assets

Why Church real estate?

Many of us have heard the criticism that the Church is “too rich”. As the world’s oldest and largest non-profit entity, the Church certainly has a wealth of assets at its disposal. But the truth of those assets — what they are and how they contribute to building the Body of Christ — is much more nuanced than many know.

Among the many assets entrusted to the Church, real estate is possibly the most visible and the most affected by changing demographics, economics, and market trends.

The challenge of real estate

Join us April 28-30 in Rome as we host experts in the field who are working on the ground to reimagine and revitalize Church properties in a way that better serves our apostolic and evangelical needs, while providing much-needed revenue for the Church — and to use those savings (and earnings!) in support of their critical ministries.

Co-hosted by Global Institute of Church Management and the Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate at the University of Notre Dame, the 2022 Real Estate and the New Evangelization Conference hosts experts in finance, real estate, theology, and more.

Speakers

His Eminence Cardinal George Pell
Carlo Dalla Vedova, Canon & Civil Lawyer, expert in properties belonging to religious communities and congregations
Dan Kelly, Law Professor and Director of the Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate, University of Notre Dame (USA)
Jennifer (Miller) Morel, Theologian

Scott Johnson, FAIA, Architect
Fr. Mike Samaniego, COO, Archdiocese of Lipa, Philippines
Sophie Janssens, Community of Sant’Egidio
Fr. John Puodziunas, OFM, Economo General of Franciscans, Italy
Ward Fitzgerald, Partner & Head of EQT Exeter

Dom Benedict Nivakoff OSB, Prior of the Monastery of St Benedict in Monte (Norcia)
Rob Neal, Real Estate Developer
David Murphy, Director of Church Properties Project, Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate, University of Notre Dame (USA)
Pia de Solenni, President and Executive Director, Global Institute of Church Management

Agenda

Day 1 Monthly

8:30 - Registration
9:15 - Opening Remarks
9:30 - KEYNOTE - His Eminence Cardinal George Pell
10:15 - KEYNOTE: The Significance of Real Estate - Prof. Dan Kelly, Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate, University of Notre Dame
11:00 - Coffee Break
11:30 - KEYNOTE: Religious Order & Property: Ever Ancient, Ever New - Dom Benedict Nivakoff OSB, Prior of the Monastery of St Benedict in Monte (Norcia)
12:30 - BREAK for Lunch On Your Own
14:30 - Vatican Representative Welcome
15:00 - THEOLOGY OF PLACE - The Importance of Place for Catholicism - Dr. Jennifer (Miller) Morel, SThD, France

Day 2 Monthly

9:00 - CASE STUDY - Transforming Contemporary Spaces into Places of Catholic Workshop: Crystal Cathedral to Christ Cathedral - Scott Johnson, Architect, USA
09:45 - CASE STUDY: Developing a Real Estate Portfolio in the Archdiocese of Lipa, Philippines - Fr. Miguel Samaniego, Finance Administrator of the Archdiocese of Lipa
10:15 - CASE STUDY: Repurposing Urban Spaces to Serve - Sophie Janssen, Community of Sant'Egidio, Italy
10:45 - Coffee Break
11:15 - KEYNOTE: Underutilized Church Property - Carlo Dalla Vedova, Italy
12:15 - KEYNOTE: Notre Dame/FIRE’s Role in Service to the Church - Ward Fitzgerald, Partner & Head of EQT Exeter
12:45 - BREAK for Lunch On Your Own
14:30 KEYNOTE: New Evangelization, Innovation, and Real Estate, Pia de Solenni, SThD, Global Institute of Church Management
15:30 - Coffee Break
16:00 - ROUNDTABLE - Repurposing Contemporary Spaces to Serve the Mission of the Catholic Church. Moderator: Pia de Solenni. Participants: Scott Johnson, Architect & Rob Neal, Property Developer

Day 3 Monthly

9:00 - KEYNOTE - Poverty and Property: A Franciscan Perspective on Land, Buildings, and Assets - Fr John Puodziunas, OFM - economo general of Franciscans, Italy
10:00 - Coffee Break
10:30 - KEYNOTE: Activating the Church's Latent Power as Largest Land Owner in the World - David Murphy, Fitzgerald Institute for Real Estate, University of Notre Dame, USA
-- END OF VIRTUAL SESSION --
11:30 - ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: Continuing Innovation of Church Real Estate
12:30 - Closing Remarks & Reception

Register

General admission to onsite attendance in Rome is US $99 and includes breaks and the closing reception. Lunch is on your own. The rate for students, clerics, religious and media is US $25. Virtual attendance via Zoom link is free.

By registering you consent to the sharing of your email and name with GICM, FIRE Institute and the University of Notre Dame Rome Global Gateway for contacting purposes relating to the conference. We will not sell or share your information with outside organizations.

Conference Venue

The 2022 Real Estate and the New Evangelization Conference is being hosted at the University of Notre Dame Rome Global Gateway, University of Notre Dame du Lac, Via Ostilia 15, 00184, Rome.

There are many options for accommodations in Rome. It is recommended that you use a hotel aggregator site (like hotels.com, or sites for vacation rentals like AirBnb and Bookings) and look for the quality of lodging and location that suits your interest. To be close to the University, select the Colosseum as your landmark for searching. If you stay in the center of Rome, you will be a short cab ride away. It’s walkable if you enjoy walking. The Colosseo metro stop is close by, as are other forms of public transportation.

Covid-19 & Travel Update

Information current as of March 5, 2022 – Italy is open to non EU citizens with a negative covid test. We anticipate that any additional restrictions will be lifted by April 1, perhaps even sooner. Remember: most airlines and hotels continue to offer refundable and/or no-change-fee reservations! We encourage you to plan optimistically, especially if you can cancel without penalty. Trip insurance is also advisable.

Travel To/From Airport

For transport to and from the airport, we are using Aldo Marrani. You can contact him directly at aldomarrani@gmail.com with your details. He and his team speak English and offer very professional services. He charges €55 to/from the airport, payable in cash, by credit card, or PayPal.

Contact

For additional information about the Conference, feel free to email info@gicm.org