The Toronto police sex crimes unit has charged a Mono Mills clergyman with three counts of sexualassault.

A Toronto woman, now 52 years old, alleges the assaults took place from 1997 to 2005 when the accused was acting in his capacity as her minister and counsellor.

Rev. William Brian Major, 63, was taken into custody last Thursday at his church and later released. He is to appear in court in Toronto on October 3.

The investigation continues, and police said there may be further charges.

Repeated calls to the United Church of Canada for comment had not been returned by press time, although it was learned that Rev. Major had been in line to become Chair of the Dufferin Peel Presbytery of the United Church of Canada. In light of the charge, it is expected that someone else will assume the post.