On Wednesday, a Brampton judge ordered that Anthony Fernando must stand trial on the charge laid by Peel Regional Police investigators.
"I'm elated," 39-year-old Diana Carrol told The Toronto Sun. She has fought a lengthy and expensive battle to bring her case to court and to public attention.
Carrol says she lost her house due to the financial stress of launching a $6.8-million lawsuit against the evangelical church for failing to protect her. She has suffered stress problems since she left her job as the church's production supervisor last September.
She was a member of the church for 14 years before she joined the staff in 2003.
"It's been a trying and very, very difficult year but I believe the year ahead will be much better," she said.
In her lawsuit, Carrol claims she was sexually harassed and assaulted on several occasions over a period of 21 months. None of the allegations has been proven in court.
In July, the court dismissed her claims against six individuals, struck out several parts of the suit and ordered her to submit a revised statement of claim within 90 days.
"We find Ms. Carrol's allegations troubling because they are such a departure from the life-changing and uplifting message that we share with more than 3,000 members of our fellowship every week," the church said in a statement after her lawsuit was filed.
Lawyers for the church have insisted Carrol's lawsuit is without merit, but declined further comment while the issue is still before the courts.
Fernando remains an employee of Kingdom Covenant Ministries.
jstewart@mississauga.net
