Cleric is a poor farming class and doesn't need to wear much plate.
http://wiki.project1999.com/Cleric#Pre-Planar
There is very little plate in the optimal gear setup and you don't need str to carry farmed fine steel. Even leveling up there is very little difference between banded and bronze for a cleric. Unless you're playing a battle cleric for giggles your defense skill will probably behind the curve and you will get smashed anyway.
Now my magician I would consider STR over INT for farming purposes. 200-300 extra mana doesn't mean much for a mage. 200-300 mana can allow that last Complete Heal preventing a group wipe for a cleric though.