Divine Mercy College principal blasted for ‘bizarre threat’ to shut down school rather than get Covid-19 vaccine

A principal at an independent Catholic college has been blasted for his controversial stance on the Covid-19 pandemic.

The school principal who threatened to shut down his independent Catholic college due to Western Australia’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate has been blasted for the “bizarre” decision.

Principal and founder Adam Zydek told staff at Divine Mercy College in Yangebup that he would rather close it down than comply with a requirement to be jabbed before the first term of next year.

Premier Mark McGowan said the state government had taken some steps to intervene.

“We’ve made an appeal to the school board to make sure the principal does the right thing,” Mr McGowan told reporters on Friday.

“It’s a bit bizarre to me that a principal has threatened to shut a school over this.

“He should be joining with all of the other education providers across Western Australia in adhering to the rules.”

Premier Mark McGowan has described the threat as ‘bizarre’. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Sharon Smith

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe said on Thursday he was “deeply disappointed” with Mr Zydek’s position.

In an attempt to distance himself from the situation, he noted that while the school offered an education “in the Catholic tradition”, it was independent and therefore “completely separate” from Catholic Education WA.

“Divine Mercy College is subject to its own governing body,” the archbishop said.

“The position being promoted by the principal of the college is not the position of the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth.

“Nor does it represent the position clearly enunciated by Pope Francis, who has indicated that it is ‘an act of love’ to receive the vaccination in order to protect the common good, and the health and wellbeing of our community.”