Smoking ceremony welcomes Australian bishop to his diocese — what’s that?

'What the heck is s smoking ceremony?' you might reasonably ask, and many do. But they are a common part of liturgical inculturation in many places

An Australian bishop was welcomed to his new diocese Tuesday with a smoking ceremony led by a member of the country’s Aboriginal community. 

Bishop Kenneth Howell takes part in a smoking ceremony outside St. Patrick's Cathedral, Toowoomba, on July 11, 2023. Screenshot from Catholic Diocese of Toowoomba YouTube channel.

“What the heck is a smoking ceremony…