Refer to the passage. "And the Reverend Father President of the Missions [Serra], assigned to the charge of Monterey, mentions, in detail and with particular satisfaction, the affability of the Indians, and the promise which they had already made him, to intrust their children to him to instruct them in the mysteries of our holy Catholic religion. That pattern and zealous minister of our religion adding a minute account of the solemn masses which had been celebrated from the arrival of the two expeditions to the departure of the packet San Antonio, and of the solemn procession of the most holy sacrament, which took place on the day of Corpus Christi, the 14th of June, with other noteworthy events that prove the special providence with which God has deigned to favor the successful issue of these expeditions, as a reward, doubtless, for the fervent zeal of our august sovereign, whose incomparable piety acknowledges as the highest obligation of his royal crown in these vast dominions, the extension of the faith of Jesus Christ, and the welfare of the wretched heathen, who being without knowledge of the gospel, groan under the tyrannical bondage of the common enemy."

Report from the Portolá expedition on the establishment of Catholic missions at the request of King Charles III of Spain, 1770

How was the establishment of missions described in the passage motivated by Christian ideals?

A)Spanish leaders thought that Christian kings would appeal to indigenous peoples who were used to autocracy.

B)Spanish leaders believed that Christian nations were superior to indigenous peoples and their customs.

C)Christian leaders thought that Christianity was important in creating alliances with indigenous peoples.

D)Christian leaders believed that Christianity must be shared for indigenous peoples to accept their rule.