The head pastor of a Black Earth church and his brother have been charged with a total of 12 counts of child abuse, according to a criminal complaint filed Friday in Dane County Circuit Court.

Philip Caminiti, 53, head pastor and elder at Aleitheia Bible Church, and his brother, John Caminiti, 45, also of Black Earth, allegedly hit the backsides of children with rods and dowels. The alleged victims are children in the Caminitis' family and other children whose families are part of the church.

"If you spank early and it is done right, then kids will be happy and obedient," Philip Caminiti told investigators.

He also admitted to instructing parents within the church — which holds services and meetings at his and another member's home — to hit their children on the bare buttocks with a rod because there's a large amount of flesh there.

He told investigators he likes the immediacy of spanking and the Bible says a rod should be used.

Philip Caminiti faces up to 6 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine, or both, for each of the eight counts, which range from June 2006 to November 2010.