Hi,
What's connected to MCLR (and the other programming pins for that matter) in your circuit?
Is it possible that it is loading the Vpp voltage applied to MCLR by the programmer so that it doesn't reach the correct level (12V)?
See section 3.2 in the PICKit2 manual, I know it's not the programmer you're using but the principle would be the same.

Another issue when using MCLR as an input is the order in which the voltages are applied, see if your programmer software has an option for Vpp Before Vdd. The issue, I believe, is that as soon as the chip starts executing code it can not be put into programming mode because it then disables MCLR so Vpp needs to come before Vdd so the chip is never allowed to start exectuing the code. If the chip is in circuit and you're powering normally try powering it from your programmer instead.

As for the configuration, the best option you have is the DEVICE_REFERENCE folder in your PBP installation (if you have PBP3 that is) and of course the datasheet for the device.

/Henrik.