DEFOREST, Wis. — A staff member at St. Olaf Catholic Church was booked into the Dane County Jail Thursday afternoon on tentative charges of sexual exploitation of a child, sexual assault of a student, and child enticement.
As of this morning, Br. Rajnal Rehmat’s staff page which described him as a pastoral associate has been removed from the St. Olaf church in DeForest’s website.
In a statement to News 3 Now, the Diocese of Madison confirmed the arrest, saying that Rehmat was part of an international religious community in Pakistan and arrived this year in June to work in the Diocese of Madison as a religious brother.
The diocese said it was made aware of allegations against Rehmat on Sunday evening and immediately notified law enforcement, put Br. Rehmat on administrative leave, and informed Br. Rehmat’s religious superiors.
“The Diocese of Madison has no further information at this time in due respect for the ongoing law enforcement investigation and the judicial process,” Diocese spokesperson Brent King said in the statement. “The Diocese of Madison will continue to cooperate fully with civil authorities investigating these allegations, and we pray for all affected by these events.”
The Diocese added that any allegations of sexual misconduct by priests, deacons or other church personnel should be reported to the Diocese of Madison using the Sexual Misconduct and Reporting Line at 608-821-3162, in addition to law enforcement.
As of Friday evening, no charges have been filed.
News 3 Now does not typically name people arrested before they are charged with a crime. In this case, because of Rehmat’s position of public trust as well as because the Diocese has named him in their statement, that policy does not apply.
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