Some Christian leaders have expressed reservations about the national referendum on proposed amendments to Egypt's Constitution.
They criticized political groups that used religion to influence voters' decisions but welcomed the result, which they said represents the majority opinion.
Forty-one percent of eligible voters participated in Saturday's referendum, and more than 77 percent favored the changes. The referendum was widely viewed as transparent.
Shubra al-Kheima bishop Father Marcos said he was surprised at the percentage of people who rejected the amendments, particularly because polls before the referendum had shown that a larger percentage of people opposed the amendments.
Still, Marcos said he respects the majority opinion, adding that the referendum itself serves democracy and the interests of the country.
Andrea Zaki, vice president of the Evangelical Church, said he voted against the amendments and added that he wanted a new constitution. Still, he said, democracy entails accepting the opinion of the majority.
Catholic Church spokesperson Father Rafeeq Greish criticized the use of religious slogans by some groups, which warned people that saying "no" to the amendments would result in the creation of a Christian state. He also said some groups have used money and food to mobilize voters to accept the amendments.
"But the Egyptian people have, in the end, chosen to accept the amendments," he said. "And we have to respect their opinion even if we are opposed to it."
