The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints filed a motion to be dismissed from a lawsuit brought by sex-abuse survivors, Law360 reports. The filing argues the Church should not be held liable under the legal theories plaintiffs have advanced.

The case is among several alleging the Church failed to protect members from abuse or failed to report allegations to civil authorities as required by law. Church attorneys argue that ecclesiastical privilege, religious autonomy, and other doctrines shield the institution from liability for leaders' actions.

Survivors' attorneys counter that the Church's centralized structure and control over bishop training and policies make it responsible when local leaders mishandle abuse reports. The motion to dismiss will test how courts balance religious-liberty protections against tort liability for institutional failures to protect children.