BERLIN (RNS) German Catholic organizations presented plans Thursday (Sept. 30) to financially assist the victims of church child abuse, but stopped short of proposing specific cash payouts.

The plan by the German Conference of Bishops and the Conference of Order Leaders lays out payments in four areas, including abuse prevention projects, counseling for victims, financial settlements in cases where a statute of limitations has expired, and special payment for serious cases.

The plan does not propose blanket damages or specific amounts for victims. A statement noted that a specific financial figure could undercut ongoing discussions between church and government officials, social organizations and victims.

“I can understand that the impatience of many victims is growing and that no one wants to shove it” into the indefinite future, said Bishop Stephan Ackermann, who oversees abuse issues for the bishops conference, the German press agency dpa reported.

Observers had hoped for specific sums to be announced after Germany’s Jesuits announced on Sept. 16 that they would make damage payments to abuse victims in the four-figure range.

Some victims groups have demanded lump sum payments of up to 80,000 euros ($109,000 dollars) from the church.

Thursday’s announcement said payments will not come from individual church funds and, where possible, individuals responsible for the crimes would be asked to pay for any damages or required therapy.