I'm not sure what you mean by "progressivism". 
But I am pretty sure Duplessis(who was supported by the Catholic Church)is considered one of the most corrupt politicians in Canadian history. The people who spurred the Quiet Revolution of the 50's and 60's were labour activists,  intellectuals and artists. If there were a few priests and nuns in there, you can be sure that they were under huge amounts of pressure to shut up.
As for Alabama, Missisippi and other states... those movements were spearheaded by liberal and left wing (yes I said it) activists who had support in the northern states who were able to feed money and resources to their family and friends in the south. Activists were able to create coalitions with churches in those southern communities. The Martin Luther Kings were a minority in southern religious communities. 
Standing up against corporate greed has rarely been spearheaded by religious institutions. They too often benefit from it and power structures behind it.