Those poor folks at Washington National Cathedral just can’t catch a break. Or now, a mouse.

First the August earthquake heavily damaged the iconic Gothic cathedral, sending finials and gargoyles tumbling to the ground. Then, just days later, a massive crane called in to fix the damage toppled over, nearly wiping out the bishop’s office. The place has been closed ever since.

Now comes word that the official cathedral cat and resident mouse-catcher, Carmina, was struck and killed by a car after being spooked by (of course) a dog. She had only been on the job a little more than a year after sending her predecessor, Catherine of Tarragon, into a well-deserved retirement.

From the cathedral email:

We are saddened to tell you that the Cathedral Choral Society’s beautiful kitty, Carmina Chanté Schumann, was fatally struck by a car on Woodley Rd. on Tuesday evening, November 1. Witnesses reported that she was frightened by a dog and ran into the street.

Carmina has entertained everyone in the Cathedral Library since June 2010, when she was adopted from an animal shelter. She received special attention at the Cathedral’s Blessing of the Animals service that October. Although her principal caretakers were the Cathedral Choral Society staff, she had a great many friends around the close who will miss her. She is listed on our personnel roster as Morale Officer, and she attended staff meetings regularly. Her most recent activities included gamboling behind the chain-link fence and bringing us presents she had captured along South Rd. It is unlikely that her position will be filled.

A memorial tribute will be planned for a later date to be announced.

Requiescat in pace.