'No excuse for taking your own life' - priest
THE priest who conducted the funeral of suicide man Douglas Sinclair told mourners at his funeral that a disability was "not an excuse to take your own life".
Father Michael Weymes said he had no idea of the former engineer's plans to take his own life at the controversial Dignitas clinic in Zurich, Switzerland.
Fr Weymes, of St Bede's and Holy Rosary Catholic Churches, in South Shields, led Mr Sinclair's service last Thursday having known the 76-year-old, an active member of the parish, for a number of years.
Police are currently investigating former engineer Mr Sinclair's death on July 28.
Two people have been questioned and bailed on suspicion of assisting or encouraging a suicide.
A 47-year-old woman and a 48-year-old man have been bailed.
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Fr Weymes said: "The church does not condone, in any way, someone taking their own life.
"I said at his funeral that disability is not an excuse to take your own life."
He added: "However, I can understand that Mr Sinclair was not in the right frame of mind at the time.
"If it is true that two people helped him, then that is seriously wrong, but it must have ben difficult for them."
At the time of his death, Mr Sinclair, formerly of Highfield Drive, South Shields, was suffering from multiple system atrophy and living at the Stapleton House Care Home in Jarrow.
Ten years ago, he lost his wife Monica to leukaemia.
Fr Weymes said: "He belonged to Holy Rosary parish and he was quite an active member, so was his wife Monica. After his wife died, his health deteriorated.
"If it is true that people helped him, it must have been very difficult for them.
"They obviously wanted to carry out his wishes and you can understand the circumstances. However, the church will never condone euthanasia."
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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