Monsignor John F. McDonough, who has been administrator of the Cathedral of Christ the King since 1972, will be stepping down from that position in June. Father Richard Kieran, pastor of St. Joseph's parish in Athens, will become the new administrator of the Cathedral.

These were among new priestly assignments announced this week.

Monsignor McDonough will continue as vicar general of the archdiocese and is overseeing daily affairs since the recent illness of Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan. He will also serve as a parochial vicar at Holy Spirit parish.

Father Kieran was secretary for education for the archdiocese for eight years from 1974 to 1982, coordinator of the Hispanic apostolate from 1977 to 1982 and spiritual director of the Cursillo movement from 1965 to 1983. He became pastor of Holy Family parish in Marietta in October 1982, following the death of Father John Mulroy, and pastor of St. Joseph's in Athens in 1983.

Several priests will also become pastors for the first time, including Father James Adams, Father Edward Dillon, Father Joseph Peacock and Father Richard Wise.