The historical changes of the twentieth century leading to globalisation and arguably the mutational shift in consciousness spoken of by some scholars as the broadening awareness to integral perception, saw the move of dialogue to the centre of the church’s mission. Interfaith dialogue has become the way forward. The planets future does not only depend on the understanding and respect for other faith traditions, but such dialogue is enhanced when respectful of all knowledge which will provide the context for such dialogue necessary for the welfare of the planet. Panikkar’s integral perception described in his teaching of the Cosmotheandric intuition, outlines creator, creation, and creature as integrally one. Science being the articulation of creation as the silent partner in any dialogue between faith traditions, enables Panikkar to speak of life as a sacred secularity. This paper turns to the work of Vincent Bedogne, student of Teilhard de Chardin, to map a course for the pathway to cross the faith-science threshold to create a reenchanted understanding of the planet or as a sacred secularity in the words of Panikkar. This dialogical pathway between the spiritual and scientific perspective is captured in his book ‘The Evolution of Consciousness.’

One of the threads arising from the listening process of the diocesan phase on the Synod on Synodality in the Auckland Diocese was the call for a Church that was more welcoming. This incorporated a recognition that the “gift and challenges of ethnic diversity confronts the Church of Auckland powerfully” [p.2]. Divergent voices expressed how these challenges were manifested. For some it was frustration that they were welcomed in words but forced to do things the ‘kiwi’ way, others perceived that ethnic communities side lined themselves and did not seem to want to belong unless they got their ‘own’ way. The 2022 Pastoral Orientations On Intercultural Migrant Ministry emphasises the importance of encountering diversity and promoting intercultural dialogue so that the Church might grow. The rhetoric is often easier than the practice. In pastoral situations where many diverse sometimes conflicting expressions of faith are being sought how do we build capacity for encounter, dialogue, and mutual enrichment? Some reflections and considerations from walking together in a multi-cultural Church with a bi-cultural context.