There’s a grief that can’t be spoken; there’s a pain goes on and on
Empty chairs and empty tables; now my friends are dead and gone
Phantom faces at the window; phantom shadows on the floor
Empty chairs and empty tables; where my friends will meet no more.
– The Character of Marius Pontmercy, Les Misérables, 1985
Eight large cast iron/bronze seatless chairs rest at the base of the fortress overlooking Oslo Fjord. The chairs have no seats to symbolize the absence of the Jewish community who were forced to leave them behind. The deportation of the Jewish community from Oslo occurred between November 1942 and February 1943; 768 members of the Jewish community fell victim to this act. All the women and children were sent to gas chambers in Auschwitz when they arrived five days later. Men were sent to transit camps to await their doom. There were 28 survivors. While the act was a Norwegian tragedy it was a tragedy to Judaism and to humanity as well. An unconscionable human cost incurred by hate.
Nations go to war for various reasons: to gain or protect territory, to obtain resources such as oil, water and access routes, to overtake governments and hostile regimes, to promote religious and philosophical ideals, to keep peace at home. While hate may not be the basis for war it will inevitably take its toll. Political philosopher Erich Fromm identifies the dual nature of hatred in conflict:
“Character conditioned hatred (irrational): stems from intense social, political or economic frustration. When populations feel powerless, anxious or economically insecure they become highly vulnerable to propaganda. Leaders exploit this vulnerability, redirecting collective anger toward a designated scapegoat to build a “basis” for war.
Rational Hatred (defensive): a reactive defensive response to a direct violation of one’s life, freedom, country. In this context, hatred is not the cause of the war but a psychological shield generated to survive and resist aggression.
When there is just cause and legitimate authority with a hope for success, as a last resort, a country may go to war. (St. Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas played a significant role in formulating the “Just War Theory”.)
The leaders of nations thus summon their people to take up the fight.
We believe it is our duty at the 11th hour on the 11th of November of every year to uphold the courage, honour the sacrifice, grieve the suffering and loss of our armed forces and civilians whose chairs are empty.
Meanwhile the hatred and animosity that run amok, not on the battlefields, but in our stores, schools, arenas and homes deserve no seat of honour and needs to surrender to the Holy One who overcame hatred with love.
Peace be with you,
Archbishop Percy