Guess boys will want to start playing Field Hockey in plaid skirts now? Why can't we say no? Why is it that we just can't accept the rules? This is why our kids, including my own, can't handle life after they leave their nest.

Good for them - finally making a good decision when it comes to children.... I hope she knocks some of the boys on their a$$. By the way boys do play field hockey.....in most of the world outside the US it is a men's sport (not in plaid Skirts)....

Totally agree Kate- no way would I want to tackle or knock down a girl on a football field- Its the Yuppie parents who keep pushing this nonsense-

KateMongs,
My parents raised me to question the status quo, and the challenge backwards thinking. I thinkits made me a better person, and I pray that I'm instilling the same strength of character in my kids. Arbitrary, unfair rules should not stand. I applaud the archbishop for having the courage to re-evaluate their position and make the change. Bravo!

@KateMongs: "Why is it that we just can't accept the rules?"
If we just accepted the rules, women would not be allowed to vote, serve in our military or earn a descent wage.

@KateMongs and @hacker70 - Great Valley already had a guy play on the field hockey team, and yes he did where a skirt, just like they do in every other civilized country, most of which have co-ed field hockey. - Get a clue.

This is the United States of America we are suppose to be one of the great leaders of the world that prides itself of freedom. If a kid wants to get out their and get knocked around playing football, more power to her!

Way to go archbishop!

I agree...the parents of said girls are crazy. With all the concerns about concussions, etc. this makes no sense. In my opinion, this sport makes no sense. Just wait and see...these parents will be filing lawsuits left and right as their girls become hurt! It will change sports as we know it!

This is great and all but the first time she gets hit hard and goes down with a concussion, dont want to hear the parents or anyone else complain...

Field hockey, although played by both sexes in most f the world, is categorically not co-Ed. It's separate men's and women's teams.

That said here in Belgium, where I live, soccer is a co-Ed sport until the age of 13, when it is then split as the boys get too big and strong for the girls to handle.

Since cup sports end in the 8th grade, I don't really see the problem. That last year or 2 may be not so good

Cyo sports was intended, not cup sports. Cursed auto correct!

@WhatThe: WELL SAID!!

It saddens me to see many people disagreeing with this exciting decision.

First off, this all started because of one girl that was ALREADY playing football, and then they decided all of sudden it was not safe. http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/14/us/philadelphia-archdiocese-boys-only-football/index.html?iref=allsearch

If the girl and her parents think she is capable of playing football with the guys, they that is their call. Not yours. You are not her parents. This gives girls the opportunity to play-it is not a mandatory situation. Boys get hurt all the time and football-everyone should know the risks, regardless of gender.

And don't even try to tell me that the girls should have their own football team. That costs money, and there probably wouldn't be enough money or support for them to create the team.

Please remove your heads from the past, and starting looking toward the future.

Create a girls league.

You teach your sons to never, never hit or push a girl. No excuses, no exceptions.

So, what is a boy supposed to do on the other team? My son played wrestling and, at one point, may have been matched with a girl on the other team. Without any prodding, he told me he would forfeit rather than wrestle a girl. I am a proud mom.

People who oppose rules often seem to assume they are the first one to do so. Have you ever considered they made the rule for a *good* reason. For example, boys and girls are different - have different needs, different skills, or even benefit from being grouped with their same sex for sports?? That status quo is no longer tradition, our new tradition is that we fear differences and that's why people with good hearts but foolish minds try to "speak truth to power" without realizing they're really just speaking power to truth with their petitions and whining.

That's not because differences are to be feared, it's because they are good.

It should be HateMong.

Come on Kate, come into the 21st century. Questioning Authority never hurt anybody. How do you think things got so bad in the Church anyway. For generations, no one questioned the hierarchy and looked where that got us.

The young lady and her family can have fun playing football until they decide to move on. Lighten up.

LOL kids don't even hit hard enough at a young age to worry about girls getting hurt. In areas that produce a lot of great football players, and no Roxborough is not one of them, girls are allowed to play. And in the younger age groups they do fine.

My cousins live in a football hotbed in the suburbs, and the starting running back and best player on the team (3rd graders) was a girl. She was unstoppable and went on to get a D1 soccer scholarship. I'll never forget seeing her play football though.

If girls want to play football and they can cut it on the field, let them. And hit them just like you would any guy. If they can be freakin cops and soldiers, they can definitely play Pop Warner Football.

C'mon people. Work work work -- that's all I feel I do around here. Do I have to teach you everything?

For those commenting about the high school age playing--this case is about the younger kids. Clearly when they are a bit older, she will no longer be able to compete and earn her place as she has done. But at the younger level, she is holding her own and doing fine. Parents have said this is NOT about playing in higher levels (I have followed this in various media--we are just seeing the decision here, not so much of the background info).

Knock my socks off!!! Could it be possible that someone sees that a female can be more than a cement statue in the left corner of the church.... or a Nun....who.... in my humble opinion.... often out works and out thinks the "old guys club"

This is a teeny, teeny, tiny step foward.