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Richard Collins, on his always excellent blog "Linen on the Hedgerow" has raised the question of syncretism, and this is an extension of the comment I made there. 

My understanding is that syncretism involves commingling Catholic beliefs or dogmas with inconsistent beliefs or dogmas from other religions. For example, it is syncretic for a Catholic to believe in reincarnation, or a non-Triune God, or pantheism or, indeed, Gaia.

Inculturation, on the other hand, can be a useful missionary tool, as it involves retaining, but also adapting, non-Catholic customs or practices so that they are not at odds with Catholic teaching. Pius XII, for example, permitted Chinese ancestor-worship, explaining that it involved not idolatry, but proper respect.

I read a moving account years ago of a Mass somewhere in Africa, at which, when the Host was elevated, there was loud drumming and an Honour Guard of men dressed in leopard skins and bearing spears surrounded the Altar. Drumming and the Guard were a tribal tradition whenever the human king was in public, and are all the more appropriate when the King of Kings appears in the Flesh.

If I am mistaken in my understanding, I apologise. As to interfaith dialogue, unless it has missionary intent, it seems a waste of time. If I was an astrophysicist, I would not waste my time debating with flat-earthers unless I had some hope of changing their minds.