This answer by u/Georgy_K_Zhukov provides a great explanation of how the KKK intentionally saw their uniforms as theatrical costumes as well as how popular media informed the hooded and robed appearance of the Second Ku Klux Klan. But, as I’m sure you are aware of given your question, it’s clear that the members of the KKK didn’t view themselves as emulating Catholic practices or taking part in Catholic traditions when wearing the pointed hood, in the same way that they weren’t imitating dunces despite the similarities between the hoods and a dunce cap