MADISON — The Diocese of Madison offers the following statement regarding the recent arrest of Br. Rajnal Rehmat, a religious brother from Pakistan of the Canons Regular of Jesus the Lord (CJD), an international Religious community.
On Sunday evening, Nov. 27, 2022, the Diocese of Madison received information about an allegation against Br. Rajnal Rehmat, CJD, who had arrived this year in June to work in the Diocese of Madison as a Religious Brother. The diocese immediately notified law enforcement, placed Brother Rehmat on administrative leave, and informed Brother Rehmat’s Religious superiors. The diocese cooperated proactively with law enforcement leading to Brother Rehmat’s arrest involving sexual misconduct with a minor on Thursday, Dec. 1.
The Diocese of Madison has no further information at this time in due respect for the ongoing law enforcement investigation and the judicial process. The Diocese of Madison will continue to cooperate fully with civil authorities investigating these allegations, and we pray for all affected by these events.
As always, any allegation of sexual misconduct should be brought to the attention of law enforcement officials. If allegations involve priests, deacons, or other Church personnel, regardless of when they are said to have occurred, they should also be reported to the Diocese of Madison, by way of the Sexual Misconduct Question and Reporting Line, 608-821-3162.
The safety of the children, youth, and the vulnerable remains our highest priority and we continue to work daily to maintain safety in all regards. All employees, teachers and volunteers must pass background checks and we follow closely all diocesan policies regarding the protection of children. The diocesan policies regarding sexual abuse allegations, and instructions for making a report of sexual misconduct, are available on the diocesan website: madisondiocese.org/safe-environment