After a bruising campaign that at times turned violent, Kenyans on Wednesday voted peacefully and overwhelmingly for a new constitution.

The peaceful vote, which came after two decades of debate, was a stark contrast to the violence that followed 2007's general elections, which claimed 1,300 lives.

Pastors and other clergy, who played key roles in opposing the new constitution, reiterated their concerns over what they see as the document's lax laws governing abortion and its recognition of Islamic courts. Still, the groups largely welcomed the results and expressed optimism that their concerns would be addressed by Parliament.

"We are convinced before God that we have played our role as mandated to us with diligence and respect. God will be our judge," the Kenya Episcopal Conference chairman John Cardinal Njue said.

Njue, the top Catholic leader in Kenya, called on church members to shoot down the draft constitution. The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and some evangelical churches ...

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