Low organ donor rates are a concern worldwide, specifically in South Africa, where only 0,2% -0,3 % of the population are registered as organ donors. Organ donation is a medical treatment for end-stage organ failures like the heart, liver, lung, and kidneys. In the exploration to understand the reasons behind low transplantation rates, it is suggested that knowledge on the topic of organ donation and people’s values and belief systems can influence their acceptance or rejection of organ donation practices. Adding to this trail of thought, it is important to recognise that Western schools of thought have influenced how religion, beliefs, and the body are conceptualised. This needs to be examined in the South African context, a country known for great diversity, as cultural differences may cause a variation in opinions, realities, and variances amongst religious and cultural groups (Ortner, 2005:3 and Beyers, 2010:1). The fact of cultural diversity and associated differences in social behaviour and social factors influencing organ donation experience, has created a gap in knowledge on the practice and understanding of organ donation in the South African Catholic context. It is this knowledge gap that this thesis seeks to engage. Existing literature has provided useful insight into organ donation and some of the reasons for low donor rates. However, they do not acknowledge the lived experience of the illness or that the Catholic identity differs from church to church and person to person. For this study, the Catholic denomination and its religious practices were explored to understand the conceptualisations and practices in relation to organ donation. The principles and practices of the Catholic Church allow for differentiation from other Christian denominations. The question of healthcare choices is a central topic in the Catholic Church, and choices may be linked to the Catholic identity. Furthermore, the ‘lived experience’ of the individual must be recognised as it can affect individuals' therapeutic choices. The study adopted a qualitative research and ethnographic approach, through which empirical data was collected during fieldwork through focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, and observation during the activities of the Catholic mass. Theoretical perspectives were drawn from a social constructivist and hermeneutic lens, recognising that identity construction relates to social interactions and constructing meanings. Self-reflexivity was used as an analytical approach. It was recognised that the individual’s subjective reality or personal experiences can influence their health choice behaviours. Thus, this research study explored the parishioners' subjective experiences and identity construction regarding organ donation. The study showed the complex interconnections between religion, belief, cultural norms, and personal values that influence individuals’ attitudes towards organ donation. These elements contribute to diverse and occasionally conflicting perceptions of organ donation, reflecting the obscure development of identity construction within the religious and cultural contexts of the Catholic community.
Keywords: Religion, Catholic Church, subjective identity, doctrine, organ donation