Thomas John Gumbleton (January 26, 1930 – April 4, 2024) was an American Catholic prelate and a prominent social activist.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 26, 1930,[1] Thomas Gumbleton attended Sacred Heart Seminary High School in that city.

[3] Gumbleton served as the pastor to a number of parishes, including St. Aloysius, Holy Ghost and St. Leo's in Detroit, until 2007.

[5] During the 1972 Presidential election, Gumbleton endorsed Senator George McGovern for president due to his opposition to American involvement in the Vietnam War and liberal economic policies.

"[6][7] In December 1980, Gumbleton founded the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights with former Episcopal Bishop Harry McGehee, Jr. and Rabbi Richard Hertz.

[8][9] Gumbleton's Sunday homilies from St Leo's parish were documented by the National Catholic Reporter, where he also wrote a regular column.

[12] On March 27, 2003, Gumbleton was arrested along with other protestors for violating a ban on large demonstrations in Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C.

[22] During his time as auxiliary bishop of Detroit, Gumbleton wore a mitre at a church service that displayed symbols of the cross, a rainbow and a pink triangle.

The pink triangle caused particular complaints by some due to its use to identify gay men in Nazi concentration camps.

[23] Gumbleton also came into the public eye before the Vatican's Instruction with regard to the ordination of gay men was released, arguing against a ban in a 2007 issue of America.