The diocese was accused of waging a war of attrition against small rural parishes at a public meeting earlier this month.
It was called to discuss ways of healing the widening rift between church leaders and grassroots congregations over unfilled vacancies, including two at the Hunstanton and Saxon Shore Benefice of eight coastal churches.
While the vacancies have remained unfilled for more than 18 months, the Saxon Shore has continued paying upwards of £30,000 a year to the diocese.
The diocese did not attend the meeting at Brancaster Village Hall to respond to its critics.
But it has now answered some questions regarding its finances and what happens to the money paid by vacant parishes, which have no priest.
SO WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
The total income of the Norwich Diocesan Board of Finance (NDBF)
charity in 2023 was £13m, of which just over £6.5m was comprised of
parish share contributed by local parishes.
"This pays towards the £7.9m cost of parish priests, including pay, pension, housing and specialist training," the diocese said in a statement.
"When a church contributes to parish share, it is giving to the common fund to be shared out as fairly as possible across Norfolk and Waveney."
The bulk of the money received that year - the most recent for which accounts are available - came from donations and income on investments.
The public meeting heard the diocese's running costs are £2m a year. Its latest accounts reveal it had 51 employees, one earning between £80,000 and £90,000, one between £70,000 and £80,000 and two between £60,000 and £70,000.
It also employs the equivalent of 160 priests, spread across more than 500 churches.
The statement said: "The figure of £2m for operational costs raised at a recent public meeting is broadly correct.
"This funds the efficient and effective running of the diocese, including the delivery of a wide range of essential expertise and support for people and buildings.
"We exist to serve people in every parish and believe that our operating costs are a worthwhile investment in the service of these communities.
"It also covers other local assistance such as grants to support local church activities, training for new vicars and professional inspection of our valued heritage buildings."
WHAT ABOUT THE SAXON SHORE VACANCIES?
The Rt Rev Dr Jane Steen, Bishop of Lynn, said there had been applications for the post of priest in charge and interviews are expected to be held next month.
She added once a priest in charge had been appointed, they would work with the churchwardens to determine the "shape" of a second priest's role.
"It will be resolved as quickly as it can be resolved," she said. "I
don't want anyone to marry in haste and repent at leisure."
Bishop Jane said she understood the frustrations of those in vacant parishes, which were still paying their shares.
"I understand how people feel but because there's a gap between what's paid in stipends and what's raised the whole thing balances out," she said.
"At the point at which Hunstanton gets an incumbent, another benefice like Reepham and Wensum, say, will become vacant, so they will be subsidising Hunstanton and Saxon Shore."
In a letter published in last Tuesday's EDP, Bishop Jane said Tom de Winton, who organised the public meeting, had so far declined to have a conversation with her to discuss his benefice's concerns. The two have now spoken on the phone.
WHAT DOES THE MEETING ORGANISER SAY?
Mr de Winton said: "I've had a phone call from Bishop Jane, she rang me up and we talked for about 30 minutes.
"It was a good conversation, she knows her problems one might say.
"She's going to do her best but whether she'll be that well supported from Norwich might be a different matter, we'll have to see."