El nivel morfológico

The concept of human dignity looked at from the theological discussion in this chapter, we observe that it plays a major role in the discourses of bioethics though sometimes confusing in some other instances.783 As noted, the conservatives and religious right wing associate the concept of human dignity with the sanctity of life thereby rooting itself in the basic core

778 _{Selapisa, L., (2016), A Week of 3 Dumped Babies, in http://www.thenewage.co.za/a-week-of-3-dumped-} babies/, Posted on February 16, 11:01 GMT. Despite continued cases of child abandonment in South Africa, quantifying the problem is still a challenge. Three babies were reported abandoned in the past week in three provinces one of whom was found dead in a bin outside a block of flats in Pretoria. Two were found dead in a pit latrine in Shaka’s Head, KwaZulu-Natal. There is a continuous litany of children country-wide who have fallen victims of child abandonment and dumping. Most media reports indicate that child abandonment and dumping are associated or related to physical and mental conditions of the child besides the socio-economic factors that are also crucial in these matters.

779 _{Madisha, K., (2016), Baby Dumping Shame, in http://www.thenewage.co.za/baby-dumping-shame/, Posted} on September 16, Accessed on 11:14 GMT. Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu has blamed socio-economic conditions such as poverty, unplanned and teenage pregnancy and substance and alcohol abuse for the upsurge in baby dumping. She further confirmed that children born with physical and mental disabilities and preference for certain genders are some of the drivers of baby dumping in the region.

780 _{Human Rights Council, (2013), Annual Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for}

Human Rights, On the Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Including the Right to Development: Persons with Albinism, Geneva: HRC24/57, 6-7. There are beliefs per which the body parts of persons with albinism possess magical powers capable of bringing riches and power if used in portions produced by local witchdoctors. As noted in a recent report by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, Persons with albinism are perceived as a curse from the gods and a charm made from their body parts is considered to have magical powers that bring wealth, success, and good luck. Considering this exposition, we can affirm that midwives may play a major role in the ritual killing of children with albinism which is considered as a disorder since they are the primary observers of the child when birth takes place.

781 _Ibid. 782 _Ibid.

783 _{Shell, S.M., (2008), Kant’s Concept of Human Dignity as a Resource for Bioethics, Washington DC: Human} Dignity and Bioethics, New York: President’s Council on Bioethics. Chapter 13.

values of the biblical narratives.784 _{Contrary to this view, the concept of human dignity has}

been closely linked to personal autonomy, an ethical principle which opens up avenues for people to make independent personal choices based on their personal rights, interests and goals.785 Personal choices in this regard are given priority. Further to the observation above, we noted that the concept of human dignity has been widely discussed in relation to questions of respect for human beings. In general, the concept of human dignity refers to the intrinsic value enshrined in each person regardless of any medical conditions.786 It embraces the worthiness of the embodied human life in a person.787 Finally, we acknowledge and affirm that the concept of human dignity is rooted in the religious belief that human beings have been created in the image and likeness of God and have been endowed with the capacity to reason making a person unique from other created things.788

Therefore, considering the moral evaluations of the different notions of the concept of human dignity as explored in this chapter, we will employ some notions of the concept of human dignity that would potentially inform and form a moral ground on which the formulation of the theology of human dignity for children with disabilities could be based. We further note the concept itself would be a better theory that would assist in approving the moral status of children with disabilities. It is therefore an honourable concept on which we can base our opinion about the plight of children with disabilities. We also note that even some international conventions explicitly make use of the concept in bringing about the realization of the human rights of all peoples. We will therefore apply this concept in our argument in defence of the plight of children with disabilities in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Briefly, the alienation of disabled children gave rise to the following implications: Children are prevented from realising their full potential when they are dumped based on their status. Based on the discussion above i.e. chapter one, there are conditions today which prevent children from realising their full potential. This stimulates a sense of hopelessness in their future. The reality is that children with disabilities continue being dumped and left to die on their own, with minimal human intervention.

3.9. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the first chapter dealt with the description of the existential problem thereby answering the question of the existential problem facing children with disabilities. It gave a

784 _Ibid. 785 _Ibid.

786 _{Donnelly, J., (1989), Universal Human Rights in Theory and Practice, Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 17.} 787 _Ibid.

broad contextual situation regarding children with disabilities. It was a proper hermeneutical approach to the socio-cultural and political situation in the country. The available literature broadly showed the magnitude of the problem. The research acknowledged and confirmed the human malaise of the children with disabilities. The reality revealed that many children are abandoned by their siblings and others are dumped in adverse conditions, where they die in solitude. In extreme cases, children who are regarded as unwanted are killed. The first chapter showed that children who are born with disabilities are the most common victims of such malicious acts.

The second chapter dealt with the question of why? The research investigated the cultural and ethical reasons why people abandon, dump and or kill children with disabilities. The chapter explored the various tenets that lead parents to act in the manner, without making any critical analysis of their actions. Cultural beliefs and social tendencies impacted heavily on the parents’ acts. The investigation discovered that there are some external forces that are central in influencing parents to do away with their children. Political, scientific, and even Biblical allusions were all major players in the debate empowering mothers and families to act brutally to their children.

The third chapter dealt with the question How? It dealt with the concept of human dignity, ethical perspectives and how these components influenced people to abandon, dump or kill children with disabilities. The chapter further examined how people develop their perceptions towards children with disabilities. Finally, the research drew conclusions on what would be considered as ethical judgements that people make in the face of the children with disabilities. The chapter presented the conjugation of the ethical judgements that people make and the scientific progress in the medical field, to bring about a common ground on which people could base their judgements when dealing with the life issues of children with disabilities. This led to the exploration of the current situation with its implications.

The above brief exposition gave a foundation for the fourth chapter, which will deal with a theological view of the question. It will respond to the research question: “How does the social teaching of the Roman Catholic Church contribute constructively to the development and formulation of a theology of human dignity that is relevant to children who are born with physical and mental disabilities that will bring about integral human development? The chapter will therefore employ some theoretical framework in examining the two encyclicals, Evangelium Vitae and Gaudium et Spes. The two documents will be key documents in the fourth chapter. The research will consider other documents to review certain assertions and affirmations found in the afore-mentioned papal encyclicals.

CHAPTER FOUR

4. THE THEOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF THE VARIOUS CONCEPTS OF