I don't think you have to give up one to the exclusion of the other (melee
skills for casting skills). I think a good cleric will develop both of
these skills, which makes them more well-rounded with more options. As I
said in a previous post, I still melee in certain situations, and in others,
I do nothing but buff, heal and med and depending on the critters, throw in
a dd spell every now and then if appropriate.

Mik