Archbishop Allen Vigneron | Archdiocese of Detriot

Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, a retired auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit, passed away at the age of 94 on April 4, 2024. Bishop Gumbleton, who was born on January 26, 1930, and ordained as a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1956, served as the 10th auxiliary bishop of Detroit, appointed by Pope Paul VI in 1968.

Throughout his life, Bishop Gumbleton played an active role in the governance of the Archdiocese and gained national recognition for his advocacy of peace, anti-racism efforts, and his commitment to social justice causes. Archbishop of Detroit Allen H. Vigneron expressed, "Bishop Gumbleton was a faithful son of the Archdiocese of Detroit, loved and respected by his brother priests and the laity for his integrity and devotion to the people he served."

After his retirement from active episcopal duties in 2006, Bishop Gumbleton continued to serve the community, notably as the administrator of St. Leo Parish in Detroit. A champion of social justice, he spoke out against the Vietnam War, became the founding president of Pax Christi USA, and advocated for peace and non-violence globally.

Bishop Gumbleton's dedication to promoting peace and harmony earned him numerous accolades, including the 2007 Detroit Spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. Award. His legacy as a promoter of solidarity with those in need will be remembered by many.

Funeral arrangements for Bishop Gumbleton are pending, and the Archdiocese of Detroit will provide further information in due course. For those seeking more insight into Bishop Gumbleton's life and ministry, details are available at Detroit Catholic's tribute to the late bishop.

For media inquiries, please contact Holly Fournier at fournier.holly@aod.org.