LACONIA — The Diocese of Manchester, the Roman Catholic Church in New Hampshire, announced Thursday their intention to scrap plans to restoring St. Joseph Church downtown, and instead to place it on the market for sale.

The decision, Bishop of Manchester Peter Libasci wrote in a media release, was taken after consideration that continuing the project without assurance, nor hope, the proposed repairs and renovations could succeed would be “an irresponsible use of the faithful’s resources entrusted to us.”

“We must remember that Church buildings, structures, or worship sites are meant to house and reflect a living and thriving community of the baptized living the Faith and handing on that Faith authentically and fervently to succeeding generations,” Libasci wrote in a release. “That vitali

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